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| Where did you see Jesus today? |
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Summertime is often an occasion for family vacations. Having three sons, I've always tried to set apart some special time for each of them, knowing one on one time can give more focus to relationship fun (without refereeing differences among siblings). Occasionally, I've been able to take a big trip with one child.
Several years ago, I was fortunate to be able to take my oldest son to Israel. The night before we left, I took time with my youngest son, then 4, to pray and asked him in turn to pray for us. I don't remember what I prayed, but imagine it might have been a long flowery mothery prayer. I do remember what he prayed, simply from a child's heart, "Dear God, I pray they may see Jesus wherever they go. Amen." That prayer has become the prayer we all carry with us wherever we travel, whether to the holy land of Israel or just around the block to the park. At the end of any day, it's a good question to help children and parents reflect on the presence of God in the midst of ordinary lives, "Where did you see Jesus today?" The answers might be a green lizard sunning on a red rock, a smile from a child coming down a slide, a daisy growing through a rocky ledge, or a call from a friend. This question helps us remember to keep our eyes and hearts open to see God in the simple sights of wonder and faces of people throughout our days. A tangible way to help children (and adults) give thanks for these small wonders and remember them is to create a small family altar. A corner table, a small spot on the dining room table, a shelf in the living room, a private place in a bedroom -- any of these can be turned into a place for prayerful thanks in the home. Then thanks can be offered for the signs of God's love by placing representations of the signs on the family altar: a red rock, a picture of a person, a daisy drying, the name of a friend or word written on a piece of paper. As days go by, faith habits are developed: looking for God's graces, giving thanks, remembering the wonders of God. A good way to begin these faith habits is to take time for reflection each evening of a family vacation and to build a little family altar wherever you are. Everyone can be encouraged to add a feather, piece of artwork, or whatever gift the day offers on this altar as the vacation progresses. Faith habits cultivated on a more relaxed vacation can then be brought back into everyday family life. The gathering time can be daily or just weekly, perhaps asking, "Where did you see God this week?" over lunch after church on Sundays or during family fun night on Friday. Even practiced only occasionally at family gatherings such as Christmas or Easter, the exercise is powerful. Family spirituality involves tuning our hearts, eyes and ears to the Creator's gifts and love. Simple habits can build strong foundations for faith growth with the family. Anne Grizzle **For further details and ideas for creating and using a family altar, see Reminders of God by Anne Grizzle which is reviewed on this website. |
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