Ok, I know it has been a month or so?? again, but I am still at it! I told you this book was big from the beginning and it was a challenge. But I am still slowly plugging away and desire to be accountable and finish what I started. A lot has taken place in 2 months time. Trips have been made, people have come to know the Lord, I now have a 17 yr. old son, our BConnected business is shaping up...just lot's of things. Last week at our family camping trip God gave me some time to read and write so I am gladly able to sit and share the next chapter. It is a great topic that I pray those of you who read will be able to glean some valuable life impacting information.
The name of Chapter 2, of the book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families", is "Begin With The End In Mind". It is about having a clear view of the end result which allows the in between time to carry a whole different picture and therefore allows our response to situations to be much more proactive and better responses. Habit #2 is about creating a clear compelling vision of what you and your family are all about. It defines your destination and this helps you as you make decisions along the way. With this principle there is a vision which has power and purpose to rise above the "baggage" many of us carry and to make decisions and act upon what really matters.
The tool that is promoted is a Family Mission Statement. A Family Mission Statement is a combined and unified expression from family member that shows and says what that family is all about-where they are headed-what's their purpose and final destination. It is the principles you choose to use in life. It is coming up with the idea 1st then living it in reality. An example is that of a building - the blue prints came 1st then the building. Another analogy is that of the pilot. He/she has a flight plan and then carries it out. He/she knows their destination before taking off in the plane. The consequences of starting out with no plan in mind could be devastating and even fatal!
Having a clear purpose and vision that each individual in the marriage/family agrees upon is key to a healthy family. It says in Proverbs 29:18 "...without a vision the people perish." If you have no mental picture or vision of where you are headed then life will just happen and you and your family will be swept along with societies values and trends. Thus that is not taking charge of your life and living life to the full - it is right the opposite - letting the world and Satan direct you and lead your life here, there and ultimately no where!
The author, Stephen Covey, offers great detail on how to create a Mission Statement and encourages each family member to take part. Our Family Mission Statement came a little differently. As I began to pray and seek God a little over a year ago concerning this very topic, I believe He gave me some words that clearly define our families purpose and destination. I presented the words/statement 1st to Brian and then the boys, they all agreed and felt these were words we as a family could and should live by. They are principles and truths that reflect us for who we want to be and where we are headed as individuals and as a family. Upon reading this chapter I again asked my family about our Mission Statement and wanted them to be very honest to tell me if these words still held true to our family. They all agreed that the statement did represent who they wanted to be as an individual and as a family.
If you have never thought of a purpose or underlying principles for you and your family to live by then I would encourage you to pray and ask God to direct you and lead you to accomplish establishing a Mission Statement for your family. It will truly help you become closer to God for one and to each other. It will also help guide you as you make life impacting decisions today and in the days to come. A Mission Statement will help enable you and your children to not be tossed around by every "wave and wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14), but to be firmly established and rooted in who they are in this life (1Peter 1:12)
Praying you glean from this reading as you continue to build an Authentic Family!!
Darla
The name of Chapter 2, of the book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families", is "Begin With The End In Mind". It is about having a clear view of the end result which allows the in between time to carry a whole different picture and therefore allows our response to situations to be much more proactive and better responses. Habit #2 is about creating a clear compelling vision of what you and your family are all about. It defines your destination and this helps you as you make decisions along the way. With this principle there is a vision which has power and purpose to rise above the "baggage" many of us carry and to make decisions and act upon what really matters.
The tool that is promoted is a Family Mission Statement. A Family Mission Statement is a combined and unified expression from family member that shows and says what that family is all about-where they are headed-what's their purpose and final destination. It is the principles you choose to use in life. It is coming up with the idea 1st then living it in reality. An example is that of a building - the blue prints came 1st then the building. Another analogy is that of the pilot. He/she has a flight plan and then carries it out. He/she knows their destination before taking off in the plane. The consequences of starting out with no plan in mind could be devastating and even fatal!
Having a clear purpose and vision that each individual in the marriage/family agrees upon is key to a healthy family. It says in Proverbs 29:18 "...without a vision the people perish." If you have no mental picture or vision of where you are headed then life will just happen and you and your family will be swept along with societies values and trends. Thus that is not taking charge of your life and living life to the full - it is right the opposite - letting the world and Satan direct you and lead your life here, there and ultimately no where!
The author, Stephen Covey, offers great detail on how to create a Mission Statement and encourages each family member to take part. Our Family Mission Statement came a little differently. As I began to pray and seek God a little over a year ago concerning this very topic, I believe He gave me some words that clearly define our families purpose and destination. I presented the words/statement 1st to Brian and then the boys, they all agreed and felt these were words we as a family could and should live by. They are principles and truths that reflect us for who we want to be and where we are headed as individuals and as a family. Upon reading this chapter I again asked my family about our Mission Statement and wanted them to be very honest to tell me if these words still held true to our family. They all agreed that the statement did represent who they wanted to be as an individual and as a family.
If you have never thought of a purpose or underlying principles for you and your family to live by then I would encourage you to pray and ask God to direct you and lead you to accomplish establishing a Mission Statement for your family. It will truly help you become closer to God for one and to each other. It will also help guide you as you make life impacting decisions today and in the days to come. A Mission Statement will help enable you and your children to not be tossed around by every "wave and wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14), but to be firmly established and rooted in who they are in this life (1Peter 1:12)
Praying you glean from this reading as you continue to build an Authentic Family!!
Darla
