God’s vision for your family

We talked a lot about our vision for our family and even the vision that our parents or 

grandparents planted inside of us while we were growing up. What does God say about 

that vision? Make sure that in doing a personal assessment of the vision that it is not an 

inner vow, but a goal that you would like to set that provides freedom as well as security 

and not fear. 

Habakkuk 2:2-3 “And the Lord answered me and said, write the vision and engrave it so 

plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may read as he hastens by. For the vision 

is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end; it will not deceive or disappoint. 

Though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come; it will not be late on its appointed 

day.” 

Seek the Lord in praise and prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to confirm or rebirth a new 

vision for your family. Remember that every family will end up somewhere, but only a few 

will end up somewhere on purpose. What if the anchor that held your family steady for 

100 generations began with your mission statement because of your earnest 

determination to provide a compass, a rudder and a telescope to help them stay the 

course? 

The child rearing years seem so tedious and frustrating at times, but remember how 

quickly our children leave to create their own families. It seems like just yesterday that I 

was at home with my parents under their love and care. I want to share a poem with you 

that has shaped my mothering and nurturing of my precious babies. 

Speak to us of Children 

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, "Speak to us of 

Children." 

And he said: 

Your children are not your children. 

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. 

They come through you but not from you, 

And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. 

You may give them your love but not your thoughts. 

For they have their own thoughts. 

You may house their bodies but not their souls, 

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not 

even in your dreams. 

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. 

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. 

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. 

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you 

with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. 

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; 

For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is 

stable. 

by Kahlil Gibran 

God is the author of the bow and the arrow. We only need to ask for His guidance and 

wisdom to hold the little arrows for such a short time. Even in mid flight, His winds can 

blow on the arrow and will safely deliver it to the target He intended even if we fall short. 

We talked a lot about sibling revolution versus sibling rivalry and the huge importance of 

the sibling relationship mimicking the marital relationship. It is the very first relationship 

that children have outside the authoritative relationship of mother and father. Even if 

you do not have more than one child, it is important to also teach the love and care of 

siblings to them so that they may impart their wisdom to their children for future 

generations. 

I am so thankful for having a mission statement that our family can refer back to 

especially when the tide seems overwhelming and the water is rough. So many times 

lately in taking care of my own mother I have been able to throw off the things that I have 

felt I needed, and place her in a position of honor and reverence because of a mission 

statement that the Holy Spirit helped Jason and I author almost five years ago. I pray 

that all of you will find the still small voice guiding you now and always. 

The Alexander Family 

Mission, Vision, And Values 

Our Mission 

We are a family that desires to know and serve God by giving away to others each gift He 

has equipped us with; by raising our children in a family that is both a refuge from the 

world and an arrow into the world; by helping each member to develop the Fruits of the 

Spirit, potential and calling; by passing down our belief in God and family with 

leadership, discipleship, humility and integrity. We Finish Strong! 

Our Vision 

We will grow our family through a compassionate ministry by using the gifts and talents 

God has placed within each one of us to help others see the value of their own spirit 

through God’s eyes. 

Our Values 

We are called to: 

Leadership: We will be the hands and feet of Jesus giving all that we have for the 

fulfillment of The Great Commission by integrating excellence and stewardship. 

Discipleship: We will walk daily with Christ to strengthen our spirit so that we may 

overflow God’s love to each one God places in our path. 

Integrity: We will live our lives in front of the audience of heaven with an eternal 

perspective and our eyes on Jesus. 

Humility: We will maintain the strength of our family in a quiet confidence and 

contentment while being fully aware that the Holy Spirit lives and operates in each one 

of us. 

Family Verse: Ephesians 3:17-20 

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow 

down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, 

as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May 

you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you 

will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. NLT