image from arttimecollective.com
The desperate cries of these baby chicks waiting to be fed echo the silent pleas of our children for spiritual nourishment. They ache for their souls to be satisfied with the “living water” and “bread of life” of Jesus, their Creator and Sustainer. God has given us as parents the responsibility of tending to this need. The way that we provide for their spiritual needs will determine whether their souls will thrive or be malnourished.
When we think about our day as a parent, we naturally think about what our children will have for breakfast, lunch and dinner unless it is provided for them at a childcare location. In this new year, why not take time to think about your child’s spiritual meals. What will be be on their spiritual menu today? Will their soul be satisfied with Scripture at breakfast? Will the concerns of their heart be addressed in prayer at lunch? Will they have opportunity to lift their voices in praise at dinner?
If spiritual nourishment has not been a priority for your family up until now, using the example of our body’s need for physical sustenance is an easy way to introduce the concept of their souls need for spiritual sustenance. Children will find it easier to understand the development of new mealtime habits that address their spiritual needs. These spiritual meals don’t have to take long. Start with just spending 5 minutes additional at a time to read a Scripture, sing a song of praise or pray together. This year we were given a little desk calendar with a Psalm of the day on it. You can pick one up at most grocery stores or book stores. A child takes a turn each day to read the verse of the day. A parent provides any explanation that is required, and it’s as simple as that.
Our children will be hungry today…what will we feed them?
emissions of faith 