What’s Their Purpose?

A recent parenting class encouraged us to help ground our kids with a sense of purpose, an understanding of what their life is about beyond just making themselves happy.

That led to a good discussion about different practical ways we can help our kids to understand and explore their purpose in life, the job they are convinced they must participate in to be who they are.

So I was happy to run across an article about exactly that from Mark Gregston, the director of Heartlight, a residential program in East Texas for struggling adolescents. The article, “Teenagers Seeking Purpose,” is up on Crosswalk.com’s parenting channel, and the whole thing is worth a read.

This exercise, though, is what jumped out to me. It seems it would be a good way to at least begin the conversation with a student about what they see as their purpose in life.

For teens (or parents) who have already had many experiences in life, and are still confused about their purpose, here’s a good exercise. Take out a blank sheet of paper and write at the top, “What is My Life Purpose?” Then, have them begin writing answers. They should write any answer that pops into their head. It could be a word or two, or a sentence. Repeat until they write the answer that makes them cry - obviously not a sad cry, but a joyful one. Yup, if it makes a tear come to their eye, then it’s a sure bet that this is their purpose, or at least associated with their purpose. They should do it in private and without any accompanying music or other distractions. It may take 100 or even 200 lines of potential “purposes” to hit the one that makes a tear come to their eye, but encourage them to keep at it until they do.

Check out the whole article and be sure to share your own ideas here about ways you have found to help your kids understand the significant purposes God has given to them.

Previous entry: How to Talk to Kids about Sex and Marriage

Comments

Commenting is not available in this channel entry.

• 
•