It's been on my mind and in my heart a lot. The responsibility we have. It's not to be taken lightly.

Intentional.

It can be a buzz word of this age, I know. But it's a strong word, and something that requires action, thought, planning.

Planning.

And that's my encouragement for you.

The time is short, friends.
And like an army that is lead by a captain, ready for battle. This is our duty. We're to prepare. We're to know our enemy, we're to defend and protect our purpose.

I'm not sure why now, after having all five of these beings it hits so strong. Probably because I finally feel like I'm coming up for air... to see the fruit of our purpose.

And to know that it's just begun!

This is the fun part.

But the work, it started before they were even born.

Discussions of what type of parents we wanted to be.

Questioning other parents we looked up to and admired.

Seeking him and his purpose for us.

As each child came and our family expanded, we were able to see the foundation laid.

A style.
A rhythm.

Us.

That's different for each family.

Find yours.

Discuss. Seek. Act upon.

The further you dive into who you are as a family, the more confidence you will have to press on.

To say no to commitments that don't fit you (even when your competitive self wants to join, ha ha!).

To protect your time you have with each other.

To set aside selfishness (NOT my easiest duty) and include them in what you are doing.

Because ever so quickly, I will turn around, and the boy that so desperately wanted to help make dinner with me will be hidden in a book seeking quiet. And that moment will be gone.

The more intention we have toward every moment, the more protection we're placing around our family. And when you look at it that way, the simple choices we make day-to-day are creating generations of purpose.

For Him!
For his kingdom.

That's a huge responsibility and honor.

And it's ours!

There are so many avenues that can act as a force to pull us away from our purpose.

Activities, commitments, technology, personal hobbies, even serving/ volunteering.

And some of those are certainly healthy when done mindfully.

But they can so easily take the time away from family meals or conversations.

The moment of quiet you need can turn to hours, and soon, we may have lost a day of connection with our children.

And after losing a day, why not another?

Trust me, I'm working on this. Realizing the day is not just about them and it's not just about me. It's about HIS purpose for US.

Be mindful.

Protect.

Be intentional.

It can actually be fun, you know!

And by exercising the self-control to say no to things and yes to family, well, it creates another generation that will choose to do the same.

What a reward it will be to see my children spending time with theirs.

Intentional.

Deuteronomy 11:18-21

"Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth."