If you’ve ever started your day, begun it and realize that you haven’t spent time with your Heavenly Father, then you may have noticed how quickly your day may have gone downhill.
If you have made spending time with God first thing in the morning a habit in your life then you know the benefits to doing so. It truly can make a difference in your day. So, if it has been useful and valuable to you, then why not teach your child to do the same, so that they can experience the joy of spending time with God in the morning?
How do I make this a practice of my child’s life?
Well, one of the best ways to do so is to practice it with them. Make them a part of your “morning time with God”. You don’t have to spend all your quiet time with God with your child, but you can share with them what you are doing and how they too can do the same. Your example will go a long way to helping your child to see the value in this practice.
Make this time age appropriate. You don’t want to force too much on them too soon. What you would encourage a fifteen year old to do you wouldn’t encourage a five year old to do. You want to make it simple and easy to understand. Basically you want them to “Talk to God”, spend time in His word and reflect on His promises.
Purchase them their own Bible and possibly even a separate book or study that will make the Bible easier for them to read and understand. This will help to make this time easier for them.
Make this a matter of prayer. Pray that your child begins to understand and value their time with God and that they see the importance of making it the “start” to their day. As they begin to make it a habit they will begin to realize what it is truly doing for their lives. And will notice when they “miss” it.
Don’t give up! It may not be something that they immediately take onto or even make a practice, you may worry they will never be committed but give them time and they will see the benefits as well as the importance of this very important time in their day and need for their relationship with God.
About CSAHM
Not all of my children have gotten this yet, but I can’t tell you how amazing it feels to walk past my 16 year old daughter’s room, on a regular basis, and find that, rather than watching tv, she is sitting in there reading her Bible before school. The fact that she’s doing that without any pushing from me? AWESOME. (God and her youth pastor RAWK!)
Tracy, what a great testament to how awesome it is to witness our kids choose to follow God, rather than be made to follow the Lord. The relationship is so much sweeter that way. I think through witnessing that it just shows that she is growing a relationship with Him, and that is so awesome! Thank you so much for sharing that with us!