But LC is not only special to my family in general, it is a very special place for Wesley and me as a couple. It's special because it is a specific place that we MAKE time to dream with each other--not just ordinary dreaming like: what kind of house do we want to have, what kind of job do I hope to have, when do I want to retire, what sports will our kids play, what university will they go to...I'm talking about BIG dreams--God sized dreams.
Part of that kind of dreaming does include to plan (in pencil) for our family, and pray for God's glory in our family. It's not that we don't dream at home, because we do; but there in the majesty of God's glory and the peace of his beauty we find ourselves more refreshed, more inspired, and more purposeful in our dreaming.
We first realized the importance of dreaming and planning (in pencil) as a couple a few years ago from another family at our church. We learned about finding the purpose and vision God has for our family; clearly establishing a mission statement; making a list of specific values which we will use to create the atmosphere of home and even finding specific verses from scripture that define all of this. In fact, during our original planning of all this, we chose 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 as our "Family Verses"(--which explains the verse at the top of our blog).
I'd seen mission and vision statements in businesses and churches, but I never thought of applying that to a family. But why not? They give businesses and organizations a clear picture of the direction they are headed, and if an opportunity arises that doesn't fit the vision, mission, or values then the decision to avoid it should be easy. So, again, why don't we do that with our families?
We first realized the importance of dreaming and planning (in pencil) as a couple a few years ago from another family at our church. We learned about finding the purpose and vision God has for our family; clearly establishing a mission statement; making a list of specific values which we will use to create the atmosphere of home and even finding specific verses from scripture that define all of this. In fact, during our original planning of all this, we chose 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 as our "Family Verses"(--which explains the verse at the top of our blog).
I'd seen mission and vision statements in businesses and churches, but I never thought of applying that to a family. But why not? They give businesses and organizations a clear picture of the direction they are headed, and if an opportunity arises that doesn't fit the vision, mission, or values then the decision to avoid it should be easy. So, again, why don't we do that with our families?
Having these things in place have been very helpful when making big decisions
(especially in regards to spending money, investing time, parenting techniques, etc.). To be perfectly honest with you, we aren't always the most consistent about using our vision and mission statements as we had originally hoped. But having opportunities to escape into the mountains together is such a sweet time to reorient ourselves on the path God has laid before us and continue to dream God-sized dreams.
'Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ' James 4:13-15
(especially in regards to spending money, investing time, parenting techniques, etc.). To be perfectly honest with you, we aren't always the most consistent about using our vision and mission statements as we had originally hoped. But having opportunities to escape into the mountains together is such a sweet time to reorient ourselves on the path God has laid before us and continue to dream God-sized dreams.
'Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ' James 4:13-15
"This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16
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