Create the Future

“If you don’t try to create the future you want, you must endure the future you get.” ~John C. Maxwell in The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth

I’m in the midst of re-reading John Maxwell’s book and finding new gems that I missed the first time.  While the quote above certainly applies to personal growth, I also considered it in light of our children’s future.

What future do I want for them?  Here are three things I know for sure.

• I want them to love God.  How do I create that future?  Help them learn more about Him.  We can study the Bible together, memorize verses as a family, pray together, create an environment in which they feel comfortable talking about spiritual things. I was blessed to have that growing up and hope that we can pass that same heritage on to our girls.

• I want them to serve others through ministry.  To create that future, they can begin serving now.  My twelve-year-old helps me in the 2-to-3 year old nursery and in our children’s church program. Both girls play piano offertories. When I’m taking a meal to another family, I like for them to help with the cooking or go with me to deliver the food.  Most importantly, I want to teach them that they are serving God as they are meeting the needs of others.  As Matthew 25:40 tells us, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

• I want them to develop healthy relationships.  Perhaps the best way I can create this in my girls’ future is to exemplify it by how I relate to their dad and model it in how I treat family and friends.  There are situations that lead us into discussions of how to relate to those who agree with them, as well as those who disagree.  A sibling provides plenty of opportunities to demonstrate selflessness and allows them to pray for one another and bear each other’s burdens.