From Frantic Family to Purposeful

Discovering God’s Purpose for You and Your Family

Early in our marriage my husband and I talked about the wonderful ideals we had for our family. We wanted a family that loves and serves God together, a welcoming home, and a life that prioritized relationships.

Three children later, the values, beliefs, and expectations we had got lost in the shuffle of our modern-day suburban life. We found ourselves in a rut of just surviving, getting through one week after the next. Our schedule was packed with sports and other commitments. The atmosphere of our home was frantic; we were constantly running late, always feeling restless. We realized it was time to take control of our family.

We needed a purpose and family mission statement, other than making ends meet. Not just for us as a family, but for each of us individually, and that included our kids!

When we sat down with our children to discuss what it meant to live intentionally and have a purpose. We started the conversation by asking them, “When you think of ______________’s family what is the first thing that comes to mind?” We mentioned their favorite restaurant and amusement park and ask them “What can you count on every time you go there?”

Then we asked them, “What do you want to be known for?”

The conversation continued with questions like:

• What are your favorite things to do?
• What do you love and want to share with others?
• What do you want your friends to say about their visits to our house?
• Does your life reflect God’s love and goodness for you and others?

Our kids agreed they love to cook and they wanted to share that with others. My kids also decided they don’t want to be known for bickering by their friends. Simply talking about this helped them to understand how the choices they make every day have impact on their life and the lives of others.

God has a unique purpose for our little ones and they don’t have to wait until they are grown-ups to figure out what it is.

As children they can understand what it means to live life intentional within the plans their Heavenly Father created for them.

An amazing resource that can guide them through the discovery of those plans is the devotional The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids by Rick Warren. It includes 365 days of scripture, devotion, and prayers. The devotional provides a better understanding of God’s plan for them and how they can make a difference in the world. Over the course of a year, it walks you through purpose in relationships, family, and service.

The book was written for ages 8–12, which is perfect for my kids. However, I found it too good to let them read it on their own!I’ve really enjoyed reading it with them each morning at breakfast as our daily family devotional.

Your kids don’t have to wait until they are in grade school to learn they are loved and have purpose. When they are little, you can read Little One, God Loves You with them. Written by Amy Warren Hilliker, it’s a board book that’s a part of The Purpose Drive Life family of books.It follows an adorable baby rabbit as he learns that God loves him and how easy it is to share that love with others.

Recognizing our purpose as a family and as individuals has greatly changed the way we do life. We are still busy but instead of just trying to make it through the week we are walking in God’s plan for our life, intentionally seeking Christ and sharing His love with others.

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Your Turn

What about your family? What are your ideals and what do you want to be know for? Come join the conversation on our blog! We’d love to hear from you!