When members of the Brown family sit down to dinner each night at the same time and the same table, it doesn’t occur to them that this simple dining experience is the exception rather than the rule in much of today’s society.  They’re not eating dinner together because studies prove that children who eat dinner with their families are better students.  But its these intentional acts that families like the Browns say is crucial in making God the cornerstone of their homes.

“It doesn’t seem weird or deliberate,” says Anne, a homeschooling mom of four.  “It’s just something we do, like choosing not to be involved in a lot of activities.  We’re kind of homebodies.”

Strength in Simplicity

Like the Browns, the Taylor family also strives for simplicity, creating a peaceful, unhurried lifestyle for their family that includes four children.  And they are not overlooking the ordinary, routine tasks of life as insignificant in helping them reach their goal.

“Our life vision for our family is this,” explains Theresa Taylor.  “We want to see each member of our immediate family dedicate his or her life to Christ and live to please Him.  And the Lord is showing us what that means as we try and fail and learn each day.”

Such a “Life Purpose Statement” as explained by Theresa and echoed by Anne, enables these families to make Godly decisions from schooling and extracurricular activities to family outings, and even family expansion.  This statement may include specific verses that a family claims and emulates, or it may be an overarching theme that is the grid through which they view the world and make decisions.  Anne and Theresa say that seeking God’s wisdom and plan for their families and defining a “Life Purpose Statement”  has been at the forefront of their decision making with their husbands.

“My husband and I want to serve the Lord just as we are, where He has put us, and with the people He has put in our life,” explains Theresa.  “There’s a lot that vies for our attention, but we look for ways to simplify our life so we can focus on loving people.”

Family Fun and Devotions

Theresa and her husband focus on fun, relationship-building activities in their home while assuming a simply, unhurried lifestyle.  After a week of homeschooling, they work  and play together on Saturdays, interspersing life teaching and training as opportunities arise.  Sundays are a time for worship and fellowship with their friends, and relaxation and rest at home.

“The strength we require comes from the Lord,” Theresa adds.  “We pray about how to train and discipline our children and gently remind each other when we are doing what we don’t want to do.  And we encourage each other by trying to build our marriage in ways that really minister to each other.”

Simplicity is key for the Brown family as well.  The family makes a point to spend time doing regular family devotions and encourages active discussion of Sunday sermon topics.  While glorifying God underscores each family’s vision, the Browns say that in the last few years God has specifically led them to become a foster family, and ultimately begin the adoption process.

“Our eyes were opened to the bigger picture and once you start seeing those kinds of things you can’t not act on it,” says Anne.  She also says that even church activities and church friends can become a “bubble” of protection.  “Doing this adoption is our first step into branching out and taking steps of faith beyond what we’ve been comfortable doing.”  

The family is on track toward adopting a little girl from Africa sometime this fall. 

According to Anne, spending time in prayer has been crucial to discerning God’s will for their family, and she and her husband are careful to explain to their children that God has led their decisions.  “We always put prayer as the first thing.  We could come up with ten great activities that we think are Godly, but if they’re not the right ones, then they’re not Godly.” 

Busy Isn’t Always Better

Family first is key, but what about other commitments?  For the Taylors, discernment is crucial.

“Outside our home, we keep the number of our regular commitments low.  But we are faithfully committed to those few things.  We carefully guard our schedule, but we are open to the Lord – not people – changing our plans on short notice.” 

While Theresa acknowledges that the needs within her church are many, she asks the Lord for wisdom and discernment regarding who and how she helps.

“I know I’m doing something important when I take time to pray for the needs of others,” she says.  “A wise Christian woman once told me, ‘When you say “Yes” to a commitment outside your home, you are saying “no” to your family.’  I believe I have a clear calling to be a supportive wife to my husband and a mother – in the richest sense of the word – to my children.  My husband and I also believe we have been called to homeschool our children at this point in our life.  This calling requires most of my time and energy.”

Creating balance in her life begins by asking the Lord each morning, “What would you have me do today?”

 Anne says that managing a family under a “Life Purpose Statement” includes some basic starting principles:

* Husbands and wives should examine their personal relationships with God. 
Anne says that she and her husband pray separately about many issues, then
together.  Such oneness unifies their approach to decision-making, putting God at the center.
 
*If you’re off-track in your decision-making and failing to seek God’s wisdom first, unravel the mistakes and come back full circle.
* Practically, make family time a priority.  Make time for family devotions.
* Where is money a priority?  Are you willing to do with less?
*Talk to other parents who you admire and who are setting a Godly example. 

For the Browns and the Taylors, a Life Purpose Statement, regardless of which specific verses are claimed, has one common denominator: glorifying God.

“My foundation in knowing Christ and trusting Him gives me true peace,” says Theresa.  “A peaceful home is my launching pad for sharing that knowledge and trust with those around me – first with my children and then as I answer God’s call to minister to others in our church and circle of influence.”

Sidebars: [NIV]

Key verses offered by the Taylor family:

1 Thessalonians 4:11   “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you.”  

Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

Key verses offered by the Brown family:

Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your god.”

James 1:27 “Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”