31 Days {Day 17} Directions, Please

For the past 2 days I've been sharing about creating a Family Purpose Statement.  You can read about that
here, {Day 14} What Do You Stand For? and here, {Day 15} Live With Purpose. 

So, once you've created your Family Purpose Statement, based on what's important to your family, then what?


You should put it to work for you.


I've listed 3 ways, although there may be even more, that the Family Purpose Statement can be used in helping your family live out what's important to you.


As a jumping off point...

Remember when making your Family Purpose Statement, it's not a to-do list or a five-year plan.  It's a simple and concise way of reflecting your values, but you can use it as a tool in making more streamlined, detailed goals.  Say your FPS (that's what I'll call it for convenience) says you want to be a good steward of your finances.  Well, take that value and turn it into an actual, measurable goal.  The FPS isn't the place to list your debt-reduction plan, but it is a place where that goal originates.  So use your FPS as a jumping off point in creating more specific goals which will then lead to action. 
  

As a compass...

Use it to make decisions about how you spend your time and and talents.  It's easy to get off course in life without a plan to get to where you want to go.  When you've taken the time to really think and pray about what's important to you, it's so much easier to see where those values don't reflect in your daily life.   Use the FPS as a compass to point you in the right direction.  For example, let's say one of your values is to spend quality family time together, but in actuality you and your family are so over scheduled with work, after school activities, extra-curriculars on the weekends, and everyone running in different directions, that shared time together is scarce.  Well, your FPS  just highlighted an area where you need a course change.  No need to get discouraged.  It's never too late to make those needed adjustments to get back on track and start living out the values that you hold dear.  

As a teaching tool...
Want your children to know what you value for your family?  Involve them in the process of creating the FPS.  It's a great time to discuss together as a family what you're all about.  Plus, it opens up discussions about what the family sees as important and how you want to live as a whole.


And finally, once you've taken the time to create your Family Purpose Statement, consider displaying it in a place in your home where you'll be sure to see it.


It's a great way to be reminded of the map you created for, and with, your family.


And a great tool to use in Seeking Peace in the Midst of the Mess!

Have you missed a day in reading 31 Days of Seeking Peace in the Midst of the Mess ?  

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