A Family Motto

Season 2 Episode 48 -- I recently came across something that I wrote and gave to my children many years ago.  I was passing along to them 4 key truths that I wanted them to embrace.  In today's episode, I share with you that writing.  Want to know what I said?  Listen to today's episode and find out!

"Reflect on This" is a once-a-week, short devotional podcast. In these devotionals, I share the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures to life, in practical and fulfilling ways.
 
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Resources that inspired some episodes:

"My Heart, Christ's Home" by Robert Munger

"The Language of Rivers and Stars" by Seth Lewis

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis

 Seth Lewis blog:  https://sethlewis.ie/

35 Bible Verses About Listening To Others (Explained) - Bible Repository 

"Restoration Year: Devotions to Transform Your Relationships, Spirit, and Faith" by John Eldredge

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers paid apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free (and low-cost) resources, including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and devotionals.  It allows you to simultaneously view verses and their corresponding cross-references, lexicon entries, commentaries, and more.
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all

Transcript

I recently came across something that I wrote years ago, as our oldest children were in their teen years.  At that time, the Lord had reminded me of the following powerful and purposeful passage of Scripture:

(Deuteronomy 6:6-9 NASB)  "And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; {7} and you shall teach them diligently to your sons [and daughters] and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. {8} "And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. {9} "And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

In that moment, I began to see a greater purpose in this passage than merely teaching my children the ways and nature of God, but to also encourage them to do the same with their future children.  After some prayer, waiting before the Lord, and reflection, the Lord helped me to come up with a short list of key spiritual and character principles that I felt were important for our children to develop, and then to one day pass along to their children.  

I also wanted to come up with a succinct statement to help my children remember these principles.  I heard about some families having a family motto, and it clicked with me that I could create a family motto that summarized these principles.  The following is what I wrote to summarize and share these principles with my children.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN,  AND THE HINSHAW FAMILY MOTTO

Recently I made a list of things that are important for you, my children, to teach your children one day.  When I see you teaching them these things, with the stated purpose of them passing these things on to future generations, I will know that I have successfully passed the "baton of faith" to you.  Here is the list:

1) To work:

(2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 NASB)  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. {7} For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, {8} nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we might not be a burden to any of you; {9} not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, that you might follow our example. {10} For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat. {11} For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. {12} Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.

2) To serve others:

(Galatians 5:13 NASB)  For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

3) To serve Christ:

(Colossians 3:23-24 NASB)  Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; {24} knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

4) To laugh:

(Proverbs 17:22 NIV)  A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

These are some of the reasons why I chose the Hinshaw Family Motto to be "Service with a smile!"  We are to serve Christ and others, and to have fun doing so.

O God, may I live long enough to see my children teaching their children to pass on these important spiritual truths.  Continue to teach me, my children, and their future generations to work, to serve, and to laugh.

Well, fast forward to today, and I am so grateful to report that my children are indeed passing on these important truths to their children.  

If you have never done this exercise of waiting before the Lord and discerning what are the key spiritual and character principles for your family to focus on, I encourage you to write down that list, and then write a family motto that summarizes your list.  And don’t be like me and wait until your children are teenagers – create your list and motto while your children are young, and teach it to them.  

Every family is unique, so your family’s list of key principles could be different than mine.  But if you are unsure of what key principles your family should focus on, I encourage you to borrow our family’s list and motto as a starting point.

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”