Time for Faith in Busy Families

Families are swamped!!! According to data, moms and dads are working at least 30% more each week than say, 10 years ago. We read about overextended families and kids all the time. So yes.........I feel guilty even thinking the thought: "How can I help facilitate more faith development at home during the week?"!!!

I'm sure most would even cringe at the thought of adding ONE more thing to their activities but hopefully I can give you some tools that would be easy to slip in to normal activities so that parents can GROW FAITH into their every-day lives. After all, children will spend 1 to 2 hours at church every week if we are lucky....and families have much more time together (hopefully!) and parents are the BEST teachers!!

So here are some thoughts:

1. At dinner time do "Joys and Concerns" like we do at church. Ask each child to tell one good thing that happened and one bad thing for that day. Then take it a step further (this is the important part) and guide everyone in a quick prayer saying things like...." Thank you, God, for...." or "Help me God with...." or "Please take care of....".

2. Your family could even start a Prayer Poster where they could write celebrations to be thankful to God or concerns. Hang in the kitchen for all to see.

3. Play a hide-and-seek game while in the car looking for as many CROSSES as possible...such as telephone poles, basketball goals, sign posts, advertising signs, etc. Explain that these can help us be constantly reminded of Jesus.

4.Think about what a Great Provider God is. This was brought home to me this past week when we were asked to put a dime in an envelope for every pair of shoes we had in our house, the number of bathrooms,  how many times we eat together, etc. The proceeds went to Della Lamb. You could do the same thing and donate the money to a charity of your choice. Or give each family member 10 pieces of yarn that are about 4" long. Find 10 things they could tie the yarn to to help them remember the ways God has provided for them. For example, tie a piece onto the Video-game player, their backpack, a favorite toy, the TV, the refrigerator full of food, etc. And encourage them to say a brief prayer to be thankful for all that God has blessed them with.

5. And the most simplest....take a prayer walk on your way to school or a friends. Look at the sky and nature, and just take time to say "Thanks God. You are AWESOME".  Have fun and be creative and know that you are loved by Jesus Christ. God bless!

Linda