Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Devotions Don’t Have to Follow Dessert

If you’re one of those on-the-go families who have a hard time pulling off regular family meals, you don’t have to give up on family devotions.

There’s nothing “magic” or sacred about the after-dinner time slot. In fact, when your kids have full stomachs and a whole evening of activities ahead, their attention spans aren’t likely to be at their peak. So give yourself permission to find a time for family devotions that works for you and your kids.

Maybe it’s bedtime, when things are slowing down (if kids think talking with you about God will delay their bedtime, you might be surprised at how chatty they’ll become). Maybe it’s Sunday afternoon or Sunday evening. Or right before kids leave for school in the morning—sending them out the door with God on their mind could be a great way to start the day.

Try different options until you hit on the best time for your family to connect with God and each other. You just might discover longer attention spans, quieter moments together, and deeper insights.