Something Worked!

So many things in my life don't work they way I want them to (like potty training my son and keeping up with the laundry and housework) that when something does work, I want to shout it from the housetops. While I realize that two days doesn't exactly indicate consistency, there is just something about what we did today and yesterday that feels right and lasting.

Yesterday and today, I actually had a devotional prayer time with the kids that was fun and life-giving for all of us! We have tried so many different things over the past couple of years that at times I've been very discouraged. Gradually I've given up on trying to do my ideal and just gone for what doesn't make me or the kids too frustrated. And in the process, we are gradually learning what works for us.

What we did today is really quite simple: First, we read a short section from Mark. I keep it very, very short (5-10 verses at most) so that there's a chance of keeping their attention. We are reading from the New Living Translation, which seems to have a good storytelling style of language. Then I ask the kids if they have any questions about the story or to tell me something they heard (just one thing, even if they can just remember one word I said, I count it success).

A side note about the kids actually hearing the Word: I have gradually come to believe that it is important that they get the living Word of God directly, not just Bible stories or devotional readings. The Bible promises that the Word brings life (Matthew 13:23). So I would rather they hear a few words from the Bible and not understand it all than many words of a story. For if His Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11), then I believe that something they heard will stay in them and be magnified over their lifetime by the Holy Spirit until it actually does bring life to them.

If, after I've read the verses I've chosen, they don't remember any of it, I remind them that these are their life words. If they don't take their life words (like taking medicine), they will die. And the only way they can take their life medicine is through their ears. Then I read it again. I try to make the reading as fun as I'm able (my ability to do this varies greatly day to day). Sometimes I simply have them repeat every word or phrase after me. Other days I try to do dramatic voices and actions. Every now and then we're really creative and each child acts out part of the story. Then I ask them again to tell me something about the story or to ask a question. Usually by the second reading they have heard something. Hallelujah!

This next part is my favorite. Inspired by this post, we've started writing prayer requests on index cards. I pass out an index card to each child. We sing one of our favorite Bible verses, "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever," (Psalm 107:1). Then each child prays for the request on their card (mostly repeating after me). Then we sing another favorite verse, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). The kids really get into this part as we clap and dance around.

I think the best part for me is that I feel a smile in my spirit afterwards, like we've really touched Heaven.

While we do have to be careful not to compare ourselves with one another (I am so prone to that!), it can sometimes be very encouraging to hear what others do so we can incorporate ideas that sound fun for our family. I'd love to hear what works for you! If you have an idea you'd like to share, please leave a comment so we can all be encouraged.

Note: Lest anyone think better of me than I really am, please do not misunderstand me. While my goal is to have a daily prayer time with my children, there are many days when it just does not happen. I have been learning, with them and in my own personal prayer time, to not look back and simply to see each day as a new day and a new opportunity. And though, on a day-to-day level, it looks very inconsistent, over the course of a month or a year we are actually making progress!

Reality Check

While I was in the prayer room this morning, I wrote the following thoughts in my journal and shared them in our meeting afterward. They were encouraging to me and seemingly to others also, so I thought I would post them here as well.

If it takes all of God's power to live this everyday life, then even the very practical, "unspiritual" things I do must be very significant. What I do seems so unimportant on an eternal level. But how does heaven see it? With every load of laundry that I wash and fold, while I see only another shirt or pair of underwear, what do the angels see? If I do it with a resentful attitude, then they see only wood, hay, and stubble. (And who wants to fold that?) But if I humble myself to do the most menial chores as a sacrifice of love for Jesus and my family--even if I am struggling to maintain that attitude (it still counts)--then I am actually handling gold and silver and precious stones (see 1 Corinthians 3:9-13).

Even further, if I see the ones I am serving as who they really are, then I will tremble with awe at the privilege of being allowed to untie the sandals of these precious, glorious, beloved ones (see John 1:27).

"All of God's Power"

"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet" (John 13:14).

"Ministering in everyday opportunities that surround us does not mean that we select our own surroundings--it means being God's very special choice to be available for use in any of the seemingly random surroundings which He has engineered for us. The very character we exhibit in our present surroundings is an indication of what we will be like in other surroundings.

"The things Jesus did were the most menial of everyday tasks, and this is an indication that it takes all of God's power in me to accomplish even the most common tasks in His way. Can I use a towel as He did? Towels, dishes, sandals, and all the other ordinary things in our lives reveal what we are made of more quickly than anything else. It takes God Almighty Incarnate in us to do the most menial duty as it ought to be done" (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, 9/11).

Towels, dishes, sandals ... I can hardly think of better words to describe the everyday-ness of life as a a mom. I am encouraged to realize that these things are so important that it takes all of God's power to do them well. I mostly rush through the work in my own strength, when all the time Jesus wants to reveal Himself to and through me in the midst of it. Lord, let Your power be made real in me to do the most daily, mundane work. Help me to see it as significant as You see it. Reveal Your character in me.

I had just posted this and then went to one of my favorite blogs and saw this post. Just had to share it with you.