Our Family Motto

Last year, during our visioneering weekend (I'll post about this annual tradition soon), we decided to create a family motto. We wanted something short enough that the kids could repeat but weighty enough to hold importance, something that gave them identity as a Nelson and key words that defined our values. So, we started to bullet point our values, grouped them into common themes, paired it down and paired it down some more, and then my husband, who is good with words, polished it off! 

NELSONS DISPLAY GOOD FRUIT. THROUGH LOVE WE SERVE OTHERS. THROUGH SELF-CONTROL WE SET A CHRIST-LIKE EXAMPLE. WITH COURAGE WE STAND FOR TRUTH. 

It's been a great tool to use with the kids to help them understand why we make the decisions we make and also aid in disciplining. For example, if we are at the grocery store and the kids are misbehaving, we talk about the sin but I'll also weave in that we are Nelsons, and we work towards self-control. When we display self-control in our actions and model our behavior after Christ, we are better ambassadors. It will also be easier to be a light for Christ and show others Jesus' love when we are loving well. We're not loving well when we are fighting with our siblings and disobeying our mama (Ephesians 4:32, 6:1)!

What are your family's values? Remember, these are things we are working towards! It doesn't have to be something that you are currently doing perfect! I'd encourage you to start brainstorming and define some goals for your family culture.

For more resources on this topic, see Clay and Sally Clarkson's Our 24 Family Ways. 

Our dining room wall: