“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.
As do most mothers, I want a future for our girls that is bright and full of hope and promise! God alone knows the future and it is only by His grace that I can carry out these desires, but I pray that I will do my part in creating a future for our children that includes a love for God, service for Him, and a host of healthy relationships.
My husband won that book at the CFA Leadercast this year. It's on my "to read" list. I love how you've taken that quote and applied it to what you want for you children's future.
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth is one of those few books that I've committed to read every year. It just challenges me in so many ways, from personal growth to the example of family growth that I shared today. Hope you enjoy it as well!
I haven't read that book yet, but it sounds like it needs to be added to my "Need to Read" list! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
These are great goals for your girls! I have the same for my children although I haven't stated them as such.
Those are fantastic goals. Definitely top of my list for my children, too.