Keeping the Focus

Daddy and D before bed

Have you ever had one of those days when you get in bed and think ... Did I even speak about God to my kids today? Did I even crack my Bible today? There are days when I am pretty sure we talk about Mickey Mouse and Thomas the Train more than we talk about God. If I were really honest, I would have to admit that those days are the majority around here. I have had great intentions over the last 3 years, but have struggled to follow through. I get caught up in the day in and day out and I get lazy.  God has used several sermons lately to renew our determination to be intentional about teaching our boys who God is and to make sure that we are filling their little minds with the things of God.

-Diaper Change Time: I am at B’s changing table countless times each day, so I used a dry erase marker and wrote scripture on the picture over his changing table.  When we are changing his diaper, we pray the scripture over him and we are memorizing it at the same time.

-TV Time:  I must admit ... Veggie Tales annoy me. I know their message is solid and it is much better than other things out there, but those silly voices drive me crazy!  I have purposely not bought them for D, but I got over it and we now have several DVD’s. I was able to find several of them used and he loves them.  He also loves the Veggie Tale fruit snacks that Kroger just happens to place right at his level! We are also watching Cedarmont Kids videos. He is CRAZY about them and it thrills my heart to hear him signing the songs even when he isn’t watching the video.  

-Memory Verse: We started scripture memory this week.  We are doing Genesis 1:1.  I googled “Creation Color Sheet” and found coloring sheets to go along with the story, so we are going to give that a try.  I rewarded him with jelly beans for potty training and I may just do the same for scripture memory!

-Music: I have tried to continually have praise music playing in the house. I find that my attitude is different when I am singing praises.  It is much harder to be snappy with D, when I have those praises running through my mind and rolling off my tongue!

-Bedtime:  One of my favorite shower gifts when I was pregnant with D was a Bible Story book.  We began reading him Bible Stories and praying over him at night very early on.  His daddy puts him to bed now and they read a Bible Story and pray together.  One of my good friends (and an adopted Aunt to my boys) sent “The Jesus Storybook Bible” when B was born.  We have been using it with big brother and I highly recommend it.  The stories are a little long, so sometimes Hal will take two nights to read a story.  

We are rapidly approaching big brother’s third birthday.  It blows my mind. The last three years have completely flown by. Everyone tells you that it will go fast, but I guess you don’t really have a concept of what that means until you experience it. I am reminded how short my time with him really is. His little mind is such a sponge right now and I want to make sure I am filling it with God so much that it overflows!

What are some things you do to keep Christ the center of your house each day? How do/did you teach your children? How do you keep your focus on the things of God while facing the day in and day out tasks of keeping a home? 

Share your ideas and stories in a comment or email!