A Habit Formed

We finally did it!  We have finished Psalms.  Six months ago, Nate and I decided to try and read a portion of the Bible at each meal.  It seemed daunting, but we knew that it would be a great habit for our family to practice.  We had our doubts.  What happens when we aren't at home?  What if our girls are two young to understand what we are reading?  What if we forget? 

However, we had a principal that was greater than our doubts.  We cannot eat on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 

If we fail to read the Bible during our personal time with God, that doesn't mean we stop all together, right?  If we can't understand all we read one day personally, that doesn't mean we stop reading the Bible forever, right?  

The blessings have been overwhelming.  Our girls now know that we don't leave the table without opening God's word and tasting of Truth.  It took us 6 months, but we did it!  Small chunks at a time, some meals were great, where everyone was attentive and Annabelle asked questions and we had songs to go with a Psalm that we sang together.  Other meals...not so much:)  Some meals, we had to patiently train our crying, whining children to sit still and be respectful while we read God's word.  Other times, we had to fight Ava just to finish her food, which is never conducive for a family Bible study.  However, we were all trained, that no matter the circumstances, God's word is our light that we are lost without.  We have learned a lot!  The kids love holding their own Bibles and pretending to read along, and they love to say verses after us, however, every few weeks we try and different method in reading and learning together, but the principal stays the same:  we need to renew our minds daily!

I once read, "First of all, it must be said that children get something out of everything they experience...Plus, nobody gets everything out of anything, particularly a sermon. We take them to the library and they do not get everything out of what is there. They listen to all of our conversation, but don’t think for a minute that everything goes over their heads.

There is great value for a very young child experiencing the deep and authentic worship of the church. Something is being transferred as they watch their fathers give of the family resources during the offering. As they grow up, their understanding will increase. Something is being transferred as they watch the adults “worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23).

They don’t get everything, but they can get something from observing the fervency and genuineness of the church’s expression of love for God, dependence upon Him, and joy in Him. This is the value of having children in church.

Children progressively understand what a parent and the wider church members love and appreciate. Year after year, their understanding builds. Year after year, the well is filling up. The cumulative effect of deep and significant thinking and activities is what we are looking for."    Scott Brown, NCFIC.org (to read the full article, go here.)

Even if it seems over their head, they are gleaning what is important in life, or rather, what is not important in our lives. 

The conversations that began at each meal were much richer than if we had never consulted God before we left the table.  My mind was redirected and refocused, whether I had been having a rough day with the girls or Nate and I had been having a hard day.  The conversations between Nate and I have been wonderful.  Again, not every meal is peaches n cream, however, as a family, we have now finished Psalms and created a new habit that we hope will stay strong in our children's lives forever. 

And now, on to Proverbs:)

I pray you too can find a few times through the day that are "hard stops", as Ann Voskamp puts it.  Times, where even if the day is crazy and routine has been lost, times that you stop and gather around the only thing that will bring life.