set just one

Have you ever played a family game during the holidays? We do. Every Christmas. It’s a borrowed tradition that we started when the kids were little. A stolen idea from family friends who bought a new game each year to play as a family. 

It is a great tradition for a family that loves card and board games. And many do. Our family, not so much. But when we sit down to play our annual holiday game, we each have a goal. Some years my plan is to win the game. Other times, I just hope to keep family members from leaving the table crying or cringing at the very thought of an “engaging” game. As a family, we are so incredibly non-game minded that we couldn’t even figure out the scoring on this year’s game, Ticket to Ride: London, without texting a friend to explain it. 

Despite our game ineptitude, we have acquired a mass of games over the years. 

Flurie Family Game Mountain

Where winning is the goal, these games remind me of the many times I didn’t win. And not winning isn’t fun. But games aren’t the only times we haven’t hit the goal. That also happens heading into a New Year where we make goals and resolutions. Games remind me of those too. 

Sorry, failed again on that goal!
This was quite a planned Operation, but I made it. Goal complete!
I haven’t a Clue why I set that goal. 
Man Bites Dog became a strategic move to complete training during our beagle’s first year on the farm when our daughter Tziporah would bite him back when he bit her. Isn’t that gross?!

All puns aside, goals are hard work and really important for the growth of our families. 

When you look at your family right now in this moment, where do you want it to be at this time next year? How do you want your relationship with your parents to change? What goals do you have in mind for your children? 

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul explores the topic of love and its permanence concluding with these words: 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

Isn’t that what we want for our families? For our children to experience a saving faith in God that shows others His character and grace. A hope that allows our family members to see the value in themselves as they put their hope in Jesus and eternity. And understanding God’s never ending, never changing love. The love that allows our family to become a community that shows the world what it means to care for, protect, and be kind to each other. 

Far off goals chosen without a purpose can be hard to accomplish. Let’s set family focused goals. And not wait until the end of the year to see their impact. How can we influence, change, and grow our family’s faith, hope, and love by March. That gives us three months. Can we do it? I’m confident we can! 

Here are some ideas to get started. 

Gather together for one evening to share stories
Choose a way to improve your family’s communication
Plan a fun event to make memories
Talk about your faith around the dinner table

Join me in writing down at least one family goal. And remember, a good goal needs to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Are you great at setting and achieving goals? Make your family goal one of them. If you’re terrible at it, just choose one. Then don’t just leave it on paper. Let’s work hard to accomplish our goal. It might just be the transformation your family needs this year.

Searching for wisdom and asking for grace,

Jody