Our Family Verse

What is God’s will for you? Am I in His will? Which option does God want me to choose? I have asked these questions in different seasons as a believer in Jesus. As I have gotten older, I have realized I have placed too great of an emphasis on myself and made the will of God over-complicated. I wanted a step-by-step checklist of what it looked like to live in the will of God instead of just enjoying him and trusting him. I am learning that His faithfulness is not dependent on me. He wants me to be faithful to Him and live with Him.

Currently, I have four children, four years old and under. Life is of abundance in our household. My once slow, quiet morning devotional times are a distant memory. A luxury of a season of life I am not in at the moment. I was recently told that faith in Jesus transcends space and time. To be faithful and live in the will of God is not bound up in a box of what I think a “good Christian” should do. Christians before the printing press did not have the privilege of owning a Bible, they could not read, and none had perfect doctrine. What they did have was the Holy Spirit and willingness to seek. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul writes, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Mark and I have decided to adopt this as our family verses. You will see these words on our website, email signatures, and prayer cards. These verses remind our family that no matter what, the LORD’s will for us is to rejoice in Him continually, communion with Him in prayer and have gracious hearts. The more I have reflected on these words, the more it has taken on new meaning. They are simple words that help posture the heart. Mark and I desire to pass this way of living down to our children. We want to use these powerful words to shape our family’s identity. We intentionally teach them these verses through memorization, meditation and daily living. So that they may be able to bring it to remembrance and walk in a manner that rejoices, is prayerful and is quick to be grateful.

Following with hands full

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