“Raising Children Who Know They Have a Mission” – by ELA Parents LeJoe and Rejani Joseph
Helping children understand that they have a purpose and a responsibility to serve others.
Have you ever wondered what your children believe their lives are ultimately about? In a world
that constantly asks, “What do I want to be?” and “What can I achieve?” it can be easy to forget
that God created each of us for something greater: to know Him, love Him, and serve others. As
parents, we naturally want to give our children the best: a good education, a strong foundation in
faith, and every opportunity to succeed. Yet we must also remember that the world desperately
needs people who are willing to live selflessly, serve others, and share the love of Christ.
Early in our marriage, although our love for God was strong, our main focus was building a
family and growing personally. During nearly three years of infertility, God revealed how
focused we had become on receiving rather than giving. As we shifted our attention toward Him
and intentionally began serving others, we experienced a deeper peace – the peace of Christ.
Through that journey, we also began to discover our family’s mission: to serve Christ and serve
others. While that mission may look different for every person, it always begins with a
willingness to place God at the center of our lives and serve those around us.
We want our children to embrace their mission, knowing they learn far more from what they see
us do than from what they hear us say. We want them to see us turn to God during difficult
moments, read His Word, and seek His guidance in our decisions. We also strive to practice
humility, even when it is difficult. When we make mistakes, we try to acknowledge them, ask for
forgiveness, and apologize. These moments teach our children that faith is not about perfection
but about continually turning back to Christ.
We make God’s Word a natural part of everyday life. Whether around the dinner table, while
doing chores, or during a car ride, we look for opportunities to talk about faith. We want our
children to understand that faith is not simply something we discuss on Sundays; it is something
we live each day and share with others. We encourage our children to serve at church, at school,
and among their friends by noticing those who may be struggling, lonely, or overlooked. When
they see a need, we encourage them not to wait for someone else to act. They can offer an
encouraging word, sit with someone who is alone, or lend a helping hand. These moments teach
children to recognize Christ in others and become His hands and feet in the world.
We often remind our children that we have a mission as a family. When we ask, “What is our
goal in life?” they answer, “To get to Heaven.” With that goal in their hearts, they understand
that their mission is to grow closer to Christ and help others along the way. Prayer is at the heart
of this mission. We encourage daily personal and family prayer, asking God to strengthen our
children’s faith, guide their decisions, and help them become who He has called them to be. We
also teach them to pray for others: the sick, the lonely, those who are struggling, and those in
need of God’s grace. Whenever possible, we strive to attend Mass during the week and
encourage frequent participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These practices help keep
our family centered on Christ and focused on our ultimate goal of reaching Heaven together.
Ultimately, we pray that our children will see faith, service, and love lived out in our home and
carry those lessons into the world. Through our example and God’s grace, we hope they will
grow into men and women who know Christ, love Him deeply, and joyfully serve others. If they
leave our home understanding that life is not merely about personal success but about bringing
God’s love to the world, then we will have helped them discover the mission for which they were
created.