God In Our Everyday (part 3)

This is the final part of three in a series entitled "God in our everyday," which was inspired by another parent asking me how our family includes God in our everyday events. I certainly don't have all the answers, this is just me sharing with you! I would love for you to share some ideas with me on how you help your children see that God is with us everyday.

Another way that we help our children see that God is part of every aspect of our lives is by including Him in our studies. Now we use a regular curriculum and do not spend time each day completing a religion curriculum or Bible workbook. However, in many things that we study we can see that God had a hand in the situation. Almost everything in science is an example of God's amazing gifts and the divine design that He has for this world. Much of history surrounds people defending their faith or being challenged because of it. When talking about the environment we discuss good stewardship of the earth we have been entrusted with. If someone is struggling with their studies we help to point out the great talents that God has given them and how we are told that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. One of the goals is for our children to not only to learn what the "educators" feel is important, but also of the great LOVE God has for us and how God's best plan is truly the best choice.

We are also very cautious when our children are enjoying a media production. For the most part, our children do not watch, read or listen to something that we have not researched and have approved. There are many productions out there that seem harmless enough, but when you continue to look into them you see otherwise. A great deal of the time, we will also talk about what we have just watched or listened to. This is a wonderful practice for families because it teaches kids to look critically at what the media production is really trying to teach, and it helps them learn what concepts they should be looking for. Ultimately the goal is for them to build a skill that will allow them to make great choices all on their own.

Please don't misunderstand me....our children are sinners just like the rest, they make mistakes just like all of us, and everything I wrote about in this series is a process. We are much better at somethings than others, but these are some of the things that we strive to do with our family. Remembering our goal, of saving faith in Christ, we do our best to guide our days. Each step of the way, the idea is for our children to learn skills that will help them to be lifelong Christians....skills that will help them realize that our faith is truly WHO WE ARE, it is not something that just happens on Sunday mornings....skills that will guide them through the rocky world set before them, when we and not around....skills that will help them to seek out God's best plan for them in every situation.

May God truly bless you and your family as you strive to emphasize that God is part of your everyday as well!