Family Devotions

When I awoke this morning the mist was rising off the stream behind the meadow and the golden pale light of the moon drifted through my window as the sun began to kiss the sky good morning in the East.

I stood in awe at the God I serve and I began to pour out my heart for the day.  Praying for those being persecuted around the world, praying for my husband, my children and my family.  Little sleepy ones began waking up and I settled into the routine of changing diapers, making beds, and getting breakfast ready.  The children know that when they wake up they come down stairs and we assemble together around the table... it is a habit we have of eating breakfast together every morning.

A habit takes time and repetition to form but once it is learned it becomes as natural as brushing your teeth before bed.

I have struggled with having consistent devotions with my children.  It is not that the desire is not there... I deeply want them to have an intimate relationship with our Father.  I want them to see who God really is by enjoying His creation, reading His written Word, and memorizing the scriptures so when trials come they have a rock to stand on where they will be unshaken.

Our devotion time goes through spurts.  We will do well for a few days and then not so great for a few weeks.  And then we will be back on the train for a few weeks and then not do anything for days.  Rather than beating myself up that my children may not remember all of the stories of the Bible or become frustrated if they cannot recite the Fruits of the Spirit, I am trying to focus on the goal.

My goal is that my children will develop a  life long relationship with God. 

 They see Him in our everyday lives as we pray before meals, as we instruct them throughout the day when they come to us with squabbles, troubles, or concerns.  We sing worship songs, have a thankfulness journal, and try to be consistent (albeit imperfect) with devotions at the breakfast table.

I hope that when they are grown they will realize that even though it was imperfect and filled with distractions (we have five kiddos so it is not unusual for there to be a bit of chaos during our Bible time) that God's Word was/is important and that is why we do what we do.  We carry on and continue to be consistent in spite of a child drawing on the table and needing to be redirected, we hold the squirmy babe in our arms who is telling his own story as we read a Psalm to the others.  This is life.  If we are consistent in these seemingly little details of creating a habit of worship and reading the Bible, no matter if we can only get through a few verses or a whole chapter, then when the children are grown they will be in the routine of spending time with the Lord daily.  And... when their own children come I pray they will pass on the same habits to them and know that it is okay if it is messy and imperfect.  God's Word does not return void.  :)

So dear readers, if you are frustrated today because your children are not all quiet and staring up at you with stars in their eyes as read from God's Word know that you are among the normal.  You are creating healthy, life long, soul nourishing habits for your children, even if you only read two verses before the day erupts into a cacophony of chaos.

There are so many teachable moments during our days as Mommas.  Capitalize on them.   If you have time to look up a verse for some life application then GREAT and if you don't because one child just ran by you naked and another one said "Mommy... there is silly putty stuck in my hair"... well, take a deep breath, say a quick prayer, and know that our God sees your heart.  You are doing well Momma, hang in there.

Lifting you up today,
Dawna