#familygoals

The last blog I shared the importance of quality of connection in marriage and I brought up the topic of vision. So, why is vision so darn important to the family? Not only do we find the Proverb verse that says “without vision the people perish” but the very first mention of family in scripture all the way back in Genesis 1:27-28, God gives the first family (Adam and Eve) a mission, a mandate to be fruitful, multiply, and steward the earth.

Mind. Blown. The purpose for family is to be on unified mission for God. Something in the Jewish & Biblical culture that is different from American culture, is that families are multigenerational. They are teams. Children are raised to join this team. American families built nests not homes. We tend to grow our families so that children will leave (in every way). This isn’t necessarily bad, but what happens a lot of the time, is connection is severed, (And remember, connection is what brings healing from trauma), faith traditions are lost, and we raise people who are either codependent or independent (neither of which is biblical). Instead, we are called to raise generations of connected family teammates on mission for God.

So, how does this flesh itself out? Fathers, the leaders of the home are called by God, to create goals and visions and mission for their families. Fathers are the coaches of a family team that is unified by the same goal. Mothers, you are called, then, to help foster connection in this team and encourage and trust the coach. Children, you have a role to play, too! You are called by God to grow and learn in this family mission, see how you might become a partner and eventually maybe even a leader in this family mission.

Have you ever seen fractured families? Each individual has their own goal and direction. Everyone heads off to different places avoiding connection because there was nothing unifying them but blood. Sharing the same blood alone is not strong enough for healthy connection. Sacrifice, encouragement, softness and unification in mission is actually stronger. This is why many people who come from non-Christian homes feel deeper connection and safety within their Christian Church family.