Thoughtfully establishing every area of life
 
 

When we talk about living a Thoughtfully Established life, we keep coming back to what we call the 7 Gifts of Responsibility

We live in a world that constantly pushes us to do more, be more, and chase more. It’s easy to look at someone else’s life and wonder if you’re doing enough—or if you’re doing any of it right.

We firmly believe in establishing every area of life on the foundation of the gospel. But when we look at Scripture and the commands God has given us, we see seven key areas He has entrusted to us to steward well. These aren’t just spiritual checkboxes—they’re gifts, meant to bless us and help us live out our purpose in this world. That’s why most of what we write and talk about centers on the 7 Gifts of Responsibility—because when we establish these areas in the gospel, everything else begins to fall into place.

Our goal isn’t to tell you to try harder or do more. Our hope is that as you follow along, you’ll be encouraged to pause, reflect, and consider what it means to thoughtfully establish every area of your life on what truly matters—the gospel.

 
 
 
 
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Thoughtfully Established was started as a way of processing what it looks like to build a life—both theologically and practically—that’s grounded in the gospel.

As much as we want to have it all together, we often don’t. There are times when meal planning gets pushed aside for months, grocery shopping doesn’t happen for weeks, work creeps into family time, laundry piles up until it’s only done once a month, and exercise gets swapped for sitting on the couch.

We look at the people around us and wonder, How do they do it? How are their kids always so well-behaved? How do they always have the perfect words to say? How do they balance work and family so effortlessly? The questions seem endless.

In those moments, it’s easy to feel frustrated. We can’t seem to accomplish what others do. Our lives often feel messier or less fulfilling than those we admire. Our well-intentioned goals often fall short.

And it doesn’t take long before we start questioning ourselves. Maybe we aren’t doing enough? Maybe we’ve missed our calling in life?

We live in a world that constantly pushes us to do more and chase more. And I’ve often found myself wrestling with the tension between embracing the responsibilities I’ve been given and pursuing the passions that motivate and excite me. It’s easy to look at someone else’s life and wish for a change, or feel like you’re not doing enough, no matter how hard you try.

As we move through different seasons of life, our responsibilities shift. Sometimes they grow, sometimes they shrink. Some responsibilities are ones we choose, like getting married or taking on a new job. But other times, they’re thrust upon us—caring for a sick loved one, for instance, or navigating unexpected challenges. Some responsibilities feel like beautiful gifts; others can feel like burdens too heavy to bear.

In each season, it’s crucial to steward those responsibilities well. Instead of chasing a life that someone else is living, we need to focus on thoughtfully establishing the life that God has uniquely given us. While many of us share common responsibilities, how they manifest in our lives will look different for each of us.

As I’ve wrestled with how to thoughtfully establish my life, I often have to remind myself that the gospel is the foundation on which we must build every area of our lives. It is the foundation for our homes, families, work, health, and rest.

The purpose of this blog isn’t to tell you that you need to do more. Instead, it’s a reminder to thoughtfully establish your life on what matters most—the gospel. My hope is that as you read, you’ll be encouraged to pause and reflect on what it might look like to build your own life and home on the gospel. It is only when we are rooted and established in the right place that, not only can we endure the dry seasons, but we will also be able to thrive.