Personal Application:
A Godly midlife crisis can be a blessing. In what areas do you feel “in crisis” right now? Ask God to help you discern opportunities to gain insights that might point to a change in direction for your life. (Often a counselor or pastor can help you better understand these pointers.) Be patient and gentle with yourself. As you find specific steps to better align your life with God’s purposes, take them.
Family Activity:
Over several weeks, take these steps to create a family mission statement. Begin by discussing questions such as, “What kind of family does God want us to be?” and “What is important to our family?” Listen to and record all responses. On individual index cards, ask each person to write qualities they value in your family. Discern together which ones are most important to the group. Using the gathered information, ask one family member to write a rough draft. Revise it as necessary. Post it, memorize it and live by it. Surround your efforts in prayer. For more information, consult The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen Covey and A Parent’s Guide to the Spiritual Growth of Children by John Trent.
Prayer:
Lord, help me now to unclutter my life, to organize myself in the direction of simplicity. Teach me to listen to my heart; teach me to welcome change, instead of fearing it. Help me to listen to these signs of change, of growth; To listen seriously and follow where they lead through the breathtaking empty space of an open door. (Adapted from Celtic Daily Prayer)
