Do you have a tradition you do with your family at the start of each year?
For Micheal and I, we love to map out our year. We know it often doesn’t go the way we “planned”, but there is something about dreaming together as a family, writing it down and being in agreement in our thoughts and prayers. I thought it may be fun to give you a glimpse into our world, in hopes that it ignites something in yours.
The set up:
Our anniversary is in January, so for us this is a natural time to get away. We typically plan a night or two away to get us out of our “busy environment” at home.
We bring a 12 month calendar, a white board, white board markers, our Bibles, pens and paper, as well as communion items.
Some of our discussion topics:
What are we hearing from the Lord for the year? Both individually as well as for our family and for our businesses and ministry.
What trips do we want to take this year? We do our best to map it out. *Clearly a priority in our home! ha. But also this helps when last minute work or friend trips come up, for us to say a quick yes or no.
We go over our budget: monthly and annually.
We go over goals: personal, family, financial, business and ministry. We usually come to the table with 3-5 of each to discuss.
We set prayer targets for the year. For us individually, as a family, our businesses, as well as for our family/friends, and all our MARKED partners.
After the discussion and making a mess of notes on the white board:
We write it out. We write out our vision for the year, our goals and prayer targets. We love what Habakkuk 2 says, “Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
We then pray over each other, the year and take communion together.
It may seem funny, it may seem formal, but I think it has become one of our favorite days of the year together. What makes it even more fun, is looking back on the previous year and seeing all the answered prayers, all the goals met and the growth we have each accomplished personally in our lives and as a couple.
I would love to hear if there is something you do as a family/individual each year to start fresh!