Hard Love

 Parents, prayer, Reflection, Summer  No Responses »
Aug 072012
 

It’s hard to be a mom sometimes.  I can go from joy and laughter one minute to worry and anxiety the next.  One moment I can’t believe how proud I am of my kids and the next moment I’m stunned by some way I see them act towards one another or even me.  This morning I was reading a prayer from Praying the Bible for your Children by David and Heather Kopp and found my restless heart stirred to pray for “love” in me and my children. I thought I would share it with you.

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This is the message you heard from the beginning; We should love one another. 1 John 3:11

Lord,

Sometimes the hardest place to love is at home, and the hardest ones to express love to are the ones we love most. On days when irritations and grudges threaten to tear my children apart – from us their parents and from each other – may your Spirit of love bring a healing presence.

By Your love working in them, help my children to love at all times (Prov. 17:17) and not just in words – “I said I was sorry!” – but with sincerity and with actions (1 John 3:18).

Help my children to be growing in:

*compassion (to try to understand the other person’s experience)

*kindness (to show generoity and goodwill to others)

*humility (to remember their own shortcomings)

*gentleness (to respect each other’s sensitivities)

*patience (to value what only time can accomplish (Col. 3:12))

Show us how to love when it’s hard, Lord. And teach us to forgive as You forgave us (Col. 3:13).

In Your name I pray. Amen.

True love for one another is an “everyday battle”. I’m sure it is in most homes.  I read another blog recently that helped me focus on the right perspective called The Everyday Question of Motherhood by Christine Hoover. As we spend the last week of summer with our kids before school starts, may God help remind us to model a sacrificial love “everyday” that is contagious in our homes.

10 Wacky Olympic Games

 Family, Parents, Summer  No Responses »
Jul 312012
 

Summer is coming to an end in just a few short weeks. I’m sure if you are like me, you are looking for some fun creative ways to spend the last few days with your kids before school starts. I ran across a blog of 10 Wacky Olympic Games and thought I would share them with you.  I think these games would be fun for any age kid (and maybe a few parents too). You could play these games either before or after you read the story that I posted yesterday about Eric Liddell.

1.  Silly Shot (Put):  See how far your students can throw a bean bag, orange, balled up pair of socks, ball of aluminum foil, bag of rice, fruit loops, can of spam, or whatever!  Show them how to hold the “shot put” near their ear and launch it forward with one arm.  Have children mark off their distance with a shoe.

2.  Jolly Javelin: For the javelin throw, use multi-colored wacky noodles, straws, hot dogs wrapped in plastic wrap, chopsticks, wiffle ball bats, or rolled up newspapers or magazines.  Five children can throw at once, behind a set line.  Distances can be marked again with their shoes.

3.  Dizzy Discus: For the discus, use a Frisbee, a wrapped frozen pizza, or paper plates sealed together well with dried beans, rice, or sand inside.

4.  Happy Hurdles:  Have students jump over a series of hurdles such as shoe boxes, swim noodles, or leaders if the leaders are adventurous enough!

5.  Silly Sync Swimming:  Give children time and a leader to help coordinate a mini synchronized swimming routine.  Then give each team a chance to perform.  For added fun, have them perform in a sprinkler or standing in a kiddie pool.

6.  Hilarious Hula:   See who can hula hoop the longest!

7.  One Hundred Meter Dash:  Instead of the traditional running race, have children run backwards, on all fours as crabs, three-legged with a friend (tie legs with bandanas, ropes, neckties, etc.), or racing in sacks (using old pillowcases).

8.  Field Hockey Fun:  Simulate a field hockey dribble by having children race around a cone.  Instead of a ball, use a potato, aluminum ball roll, or sock ball and have them dribble it with a hockey stick, swim noodle, broom, or whatever else you have on hand.

9.  Balloon Volleyball:  Give each child or team a balloon to see who can keep it up the longest.  When the balloon hits the ground, have students sit down.

10.  Crazy Cyclers:   Have students compete in cycling races using tricycles or any other toddler ride on toy.  Make sure you have a good surface to ride on and helmets for all.

What Makes a Gold Medal Life?

 Parents, Reflection, Summer  No Responses »
Jul 302012
 

Our family has been engrossed in the Summer Olympics happening right now in London.  We all have our favorite events. Since my daughter is a competitive swimmer, we are keeping a close eye on all the swimming. We even have a family bet going over the Phelps/Lochte events. My boys love the basketball and soccer games. I’m enjoying all the gymnastics since I competed in the floor and balance beam events in high school.  There’s just something about watching young athletes compete that really draws you in and compels you to root for them. I even bought a new t-shirt to cheer on the USA!

Since our Kids Club in June this year was “Go for Gold” and centered around the Olympic theme, we were reminded of so many stories that had to do with sacrifice and commitment. There are many stories of athletes who have committed their lives to Christ and use their athletic abilities to glorify God. I recently ran across a blog post on Ministry to Children about Eric Liddell and thought I would share it with you. It might be something you could share with your children some time over the next two weeks as you watch the Olympics and talk about “What makes a Gold Medal Life?”

Eric Liddell: A Gold Medal Life

Can you imagine being good enough to go to the Olympics?  Can you imagine dreaming about the Olympics, training for the Games, and then deciding not to compete in your best event?   This is the story of Eric Liddell.

Eric was born into a missionary family in 1902 – over 100 years ago!   His Mom and Dad lived in China and spent their lives teaching the Chinese people about Jesus.  Eric grew up going to a boarding school for missionary kids.  While he was at the school, he learned to love running and rugby.

Eric was one of those people whom you almost get jealous of!  He was such an incredible athlete!  His goal was to get to the 1924 Olympics in France and run in his best race – the 100 meters.  He trained hard to get in top shape and his country of Scotland was sure he would win a gold medal for them.

There was just one problem.  The heat – to decide who would make the Olympics – was on a Sunday and Eric would not run on Sunday.  Why, you ask?  He wanted to worship and honor God on Sunday, instead of competing in a race.

What do you think others thought of that?  I think it’s cool, because he lived to put God first.  But others thought he was ridiculous!  Some people made fun of him and others were angry at him; after all, they thought he would win Scotland a gold medal!  Without him, they didn’t stand a chance!

Well, instead of running in the 100 meters, he qualified for the 200 and 400 meter races, because the heats did not occur on Sunday.  No one expected him to come close to winning though.  On the day of the 400 meter race, an American gave him a piece of paper that had 1 Samuel 2:30 on it, “Those who honor me I will honor.”  This is one of God’s promises in His word.

Eric ran with that piece of paper in his hand and held onto this promise tightly.  He was a funny runner – he always ran with his chest sticking out and his mouth wide open.  Even though the 400 wasn’t his best distance; even though he had bad running form; even though he was not expected to win anything – Eric broke the existing world record and finished in 47.6 seconds.  He won the gold!  Not only that, but he won the bronze medal for the 200 meters also!!!!

Eric’s Olympic story is incredible!  But that isn’t the end of his story.  After the Olympics, Eric returned to China and served as a missionary there, teaching at a school and telling the Chinese people about Jesus.  He ended up marrying and having three children.  However, while he and his family were there, China was becoming a dangerous place.  It was no longer safe for his family to live there, so they went to live with family in Canada and Eric stayed in China to finish his work.

Not long after, the Japanese invaded China and Eric was sent to an internment camp or prison where he and 1800 others were held in prison for no reason at all.  Though the conditions at this place were awful, Eric did whatever was needed to be done with a great hope in his heart.  He worked hard telling others about Jesus, teaching kids, and organizing sports.  At one point, Eric had the chance to leave the prison, but he gave his chance up to let a pregnant woman leave instead.  What an incredible example of sacrifice!

Eric’s life story seems to end on a sad note because he never made it out of the prison. He was only 43 years old when he died.  But as we know, God is always, ever good.  Because of Eric’s relationship with Jesus, his death (a defeat) was actually a victory (a win) – He is with Christ today!  Eric finished his Olympic races well – but even more importantly – he finished life well!

His life lives the words found in Acts 20: 23- 24, “I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me —the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Eric once said, “We are all missionaries. Wherever we go we either bring people nearer to Christ or we repel them from Christ.”

This gold medal life story teaches us so many things.  It teaches us about hard work and putting God first.  It teaches us to live a gold medal life in whatever God gave us to do.  It teaches us that following God isn’t always easy.  It teaches us that we are all missionaries, bringing people either closer to Jesus or driving them far away.

How are we going to live our lives today?  Let’s follow Eric Liddell towards a gold medal life!

You can also show your kids a short video clip of the race in the movie Chariots of Fire here.

Jamaica 2012 – What is the “good life”?

 Family, Parents, Reflection, Summer  1 Response »
Jul 032012
 

Keith and I were able to take our older two kids on the Student Ministry trip to Jamaica on June 17-24. This was our third time returning to Harmons, Jamaica to work with a ministry called Won by One. Our team of 29, spent the week building two houses, two foundations, planting peppers in their new greenhouse and building relationships with the people of Harmons. It is an amazing experience that I can’t always put into words when I come back but I will try to share a few things God showed me this year.

One of the questions we were to think about as we went about our day was “What is the good life?” and where do you find it? Is the “good life” having all the necessities like food and clothing and running water or is the “good life” something more than that?  This is the kind of question we don’t ponder much here in Columbia because we have most of our needs met immediately. But when you are removed from those comforts and placed in a third world city where many live without the simple things we take for granted like hot water, a job or a home, then it is much easier to consider this question.

In our devotional time together we were looking at the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 all week.  Verse 3 says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” We talked about how “poor in spirit” meant people who are needy and bankrupt. They are people who recognize their need for God.  And the result of being “poor in spirit” is being blessed with a relationship with Jesus.

So our challenge was to put those two thoughts together as we worked alongside Jamaicans all week.  Is the “good life” having all the stuff and comforts that I live with each day or is the “good life” something deeper? Am I just as needy and bankrupt apart from Christ as the people I talked to in Harmons? I wrestled with this all week long and was surprised at the ways God showed me the answer through comparisons.

I’d like to share those with you through a few pictures from our trip.

Here is my daughter helping lower the tomato plants in one of the greenhouses. This was backbreaking and tedious work but allows for the tomato plants to still grow while allowing the Jamaicans to reach the ripe tomatoes to pick. Is the “good life” growing your own plants so you have food to eat and to sell in the market?

One of the challenges we as Americans had all week was to only take what we could eat on our plates and not to waste a single bite of food. If you couldn’t finish what you took, you had to find someone on the team who would. We were only to bring empty plates to the kitchen.

So I couldn’t help but wonder if the “good life” was having our fill of food and being able to throw what we don’t eat away or is it recognizing that Jesus says “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

This is a woman named Beatrice who lives at the Infirmary that we visited. Beatrice is crippled with arthritis and can’t get out of bed or do many normal things by herself. This was my third year to spend time with her. I even had the privilege of bringing her a few personal items she had requested last year. The amazing thing to me is that you do not hear her complain but she smiles and is filled with joy at the love and attention that is given to her.

She is physically dependent on others to help her with everything from bathing, eating and even changing her diapers. I couldn’t help but think back on what it means to be needy and see the similarities between Beatrice’s physical needs and her spiritual ones. She loved for us to read the bible to her and listen to the gospel music her roommate was playing loudly on the radio. So I also wondered, is the “good life” being able to do everything for myself or is it as the psalmist cries out “Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.” Psalm 70:5

There are many more stories and pictures I could share, but I will stop with these two and leave you with some questions to ponder this week:

What is the “good life”? And where do you find it? And how do we teach our kids about it?

 

Echoes of Eden Overview

 Elementary, Summer  Comments Off
Jun 152012
 

This summer in Elementary Crossing Kids, Emily Powell and I have partnered up to write our summer curriculum, called: Echoes of Eden: Traces of God and Truth in Children’s Literature. We titled it “Echoes of Eden” based on this quote from Jerram Barrs:

“All great art will contain this element of being an echo of Eden:
Eden in its original glory, Eden that is lost to us, and Eden restored.”

This summer, we want children will examine the way The Gospel helps us to make sense of all of life—including art. Each Sunday, kids will enjoy high quality children’s literature, then search for places where the beauty of the Gospel intersects and points to the greatest story of all. Kids will also discover how to engage with our culture in winsome ways.

The Fallen Condition Focus of Echoes of Eden
We live in a broken, fallen world. As a result, nothing is or works the way that it is supposed to. Literature reflects this sense of loss. Creation is tainted, people are often destructive, and even the best things in life are flawed. We are a glorious ruin; most literature reflects this and includes a problem to be solved.

The God-Centered Focus of Echoes of Eden
Just as most stories acknowledge brokenness, they also reflect a longing for redemption. Dragons are slayed, problems are solved, battles are won. Yet, even the most compelling of resolutions pales in comparison to the greatest story ever told. Human solutions are incomplete. Heroes are flawed. We need a Savior who can rescue and redeem in ways that we simply cannot. As Tolkein and Lewis tell us, our myths contain echoes of the true story of who we are and God’s redeeming work, but the Gospel is the one true myth where pain and evil are banished completely and eternally.

The Faith Response of Echoes of Eden
We live in a world where life is often compartmentalized. We view some things as spiritual while other things are secular. Some things are “good” while other things are “bad.” According to Genesis 1, a human being is the only being on earth whose essence related both to the physical and spiritual world. We’re fully both. God’s original purpose for humanity was to image God by ruling over, working in, and developing God’s created world. As Abraham Kuyper states, “There is not one square inch that God does not cry out, ‘This is mine! This belongs to me!’” This includes art and culture. In this unit, children will learn how to use quality literature to notice Gospel themes, find common ground with others, and discuss these truths in winsome ways.

Echoes of Eden Objectives
Children will learn:
• That all great art contains an echo of Eden—memories of a good creation, the tragedy of our current condition, and a longing for redemption and restoration.
• How to use quality literature to notice Gospel themes, find common ground with others, and discuss these truths in winsome ways.
• To enjoy literature, engage in culture, and understand what it means to be created in the image of a creative God.
• To learn how to “hunt and gather truth” in a variety of contexts.
• The Gospel is not just for saving souls, but reaching and redeeming all of creation.

This Sunday’s Lesson: JUNE 17
The Best Cat in the World by Leslea Newman

Summary: Victor is very sad when his beloved cat, Charlie, dies. After mourning the loss of his pet, Victor gets a new cat that is very different from Charlie. Over time Victor grows to love his new cat. We are reminded that God sees our grief and brings us peace and comfort in our sadness.

Key Concept: God brings us His comfort when we are sad.

Verse: Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Activity: Children will reflect through painting about a time they were brokenhearted while listening to worship music. They will then have time to share how God helped them and pray in small groups.

Crossing Kids: Sunday, June 3, 2012

 5th Grade, Elementary, Family, Little Ones, Music, Parents, Preschool, Reading, Summer, Sunday Morning, Videos  No Responses »
Jun 032012
 

Little Ones

Monthly Topic:  “G” is for Glorious’

Big Idea: Heaven is Glorious, just like God is!

Memory Verse: “It is written, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has known, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Bible Story Focus: What is heaven like? | John 14:1-3, Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 21:18-19

Lesson summary: In this lesson, kids will have a chance to learn about a wonderful

place God is preparing for His believers called heaven. They will

learn what heaven will be like and how we get there.

Monthly Songs: 

Like His Love by Crossing Music

Unimaginable by Crossing Music

 

Preschool

Monthly Topic:  “G” is for Glorious

Big Idea: God has prepared a forever home in heaven for those who trust in

Him, and it is Glorious, just like He is.

Memory Verse: “It is written, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has known, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Bible Story Focus: God has prepared a forever home, called heave, for those who trust in him | John 14:1-3, Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 21:18-29

Dinner Table Discussion

Discuss the following questions as a family during dinner this week. They’re meant

to prompt further conversation about what was experienced on Sunday morning.

I Wonder Questions:

I wonder…what is heaven?

Heaven is a glorious place that God is preparing for everyone who loves him.

I wonder…who is preparing heaven for us?

God is preparing heaven for us.

I wonder…what will heaven be like?

No one knows exactly what heaven will be like but God tells us in His word that it will

be glorious. There will be no tears and the streets will be made of gold.

You can talk more as a family about what heaven might be like.

Monthly Songs: 

Like His Love by Crossing Music

Unimaginable by Crossing Music

Check out this week’s Story Street video blog here!

 

Kindergarten – 4th Grade

Echoes of Eden: Week 1

JUNE MEMORY VERSE

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also given men a sense of what he’s been doing down through the ages. But they can’t completely figure out what he’s done from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

OVERVIEW

In this unit, children will examine the way The Gospel helps us to make sense of all of life—including art. Together we will enjoy high quality children’s literature, search for places where the beauty of the Gospel intersects and points to the greatest story of all, and discover how to engage with our culture in winsome ways.

OBJECTIVES

Children will learn:

*       That all great art contains an echo of Eden—memories of a good creation, the tragedy of our current condition, and a longing for redemption and restoration.

*       How to use quality literature to notice Gospel themes, find common ground with others, and discuss these truths in winsome ways.

*       To enjoy literature, engage in culture, and understand what it means to be created in the image of a creative God.

*       To learn how to “hunt and gather truth” in a variety of contexts.

*       The Gospel is not just for saving souls, but reaching and redeeming all of creation.

JUNE 3

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodsen

Book Summary: Two little girls strike up a friendship even though they live on opposite sides of a fence. Though they are divided in many ways, they get around the rules by sitting on top of the fence together. The end of the book points us to the hope of Christ knocking down all fences and restoring our broken world.

Key Concept: Jesus will restore our broken world.

Lesson Verse: Ephesians 2:14-15a “For He himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands.”

 

5th Grade

Grapple Question: Will God Make Me a “Jesus Freak”?

Kids Learn: Conforming to the Image of Christ

Dig Into the Bible: Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:1-3

Preteens just want to fit in, so the thought of being set apart as a “Jesus freak” is scary! Being like Jesus doesn’t make your child a freak, but it does make him or her different. God can give your child courage to be proud of those differences. Tell your child about a time you took a stand for something you felt strongly about—maybe a co-worker asked why you pray before lunch, or you debated your view of God with a relative. Knowing that you made it through that tough time—even when it made you different from others—will help your child stay firmly rooted next time his or her faith is tested.

Family Vacations

 Devotional, Family, Parents, Summer  Comments Off
May 302012
 

“Family vacations are FAMILY vacations. Ultimately family vacations are about being together as a family, deepening relationships with each other, conversing together, laughing together and encouraging each other. What a family does together is much more important than where a family goes together. And it’s possible to have a low-budget vacation that is truly wealthy in what matters, developing close relationships as a family, and creating memories that make a difference, all for the glory of God.”

-C.J. Mahaney

One of my favorite times of the year is when our family gets away on a vacation for a week.  The past few years we’ve been going over spring break because it fits better with all our kids’ summer schedules.  But we have also taken numerous summer vacations.

Since we drove 19 hours to Tampa, Florida this year and had plenty of time together in the car, we made a list of all the places we have been together over the years. I think there was only one year we couldn’t remember where we’ve been since we had children. Some of our favorite places have been Phoenix, Arizona; Door County, Wisconsin; Sanabel Island, Florida and Estes Park, Colorado.

Each child has their personal favorite and wishes we could go back there. But all of us have at least one favorite memory from every vacation. Keith and I have noticed over the years that our children as well as ourselves grow closer together when we are away from the familiar and the normal busy routine.  We all laugh easier, talk more to each other and just enjoy hanging out together.

I ran across a fun list of things to do with your kids on road trips which I thought might give some helpful ideas to those of you traveling soon. It’s called Road Trip God Sightings. This list seems to have some creative ways to use things you see as you drive to talk with your kids about God.

We will also have our own Crossing Kids Family Vacation Devotional written by Rachel Johnson available for you to pick up this Sunday at each Crossing Kids kiosk.  You can use these devotions in a way that best fits your family’s schedule: while on the road, waiting in the airport, in the hotel room each night before bed, or even at a rest stop!

May you create memories this summer with your kids – memories that make a difference and deepen your child’s faith as you spend time together.

 

Kids Club Devotional 2012 (Day 3: Perseverance)

 5th Grade, Devotional, Elementary, Family, Kids Club, Little Ones, Parents, Preschool, Summer  No Responses »
May 302012
 

If you’ve been around The Crossing for a while, you probably know that one of our favorite weeks of the year is Kids Club, our camp-like spin on VBS.  We would  like to give you a glimpse of this year’s theme along with a special resource to help equip you–both parents and volunteers–for follow up conversations to come.  Each week, we will post the next portion of our parent/volunteer devotional to the blog.

This year’s theme “G4G: Go for Gold” will give children the chance to become athletes, learn about the Olympic games, and learn more about the greatest race of all.  Each night, we’ll take a closer look at a different key word/concept from our memory verse:

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix out eyes on Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2a

 You can click on the image below to make them appear larger or download the entire thing here.

Introduction
Day 1: Race
Day 2: Obstacles

Summer Family Journal

 Family, Summer  Comments Off
May 182012
 

With Memorial Day around the corner and many kids approaching the end of the school year, summer is on everyone’s mind. It is certainly on mine. This is the time of year I always make grandiose summer plans: organize that closet under the stairs, make homemade lemonade and ice cream, or maybe put together a neighborhood block party. Seems like most of the time, the summer slips away too quickly and I never quite accomplish all my goals.

This week I came across this great idea for a summer family journal and thought this would be such a fun, easy, and attainable summer goal for families with preschool and elementary (and even older!) aged children. The idea is for everyone in the family to contribute to a common journal over the summer through adding pictures, souvenirs (like ticket stubs), drawings, and short stories of your summer memories. At the end of the summer, your family would have a beautiful book that you would treasure for years to come. It would be a great way to involve everyone in a joint project and working together toward a common goal. Plus, the teacher in me can’t help but to think of all the literacy benefits for children – they can keep up their reading and writing skills until August rolls around.

More than that – a journal can be used to reflect on the faithfulness of our great God. Every good thing you contribute to the journal is a gift from our loving Father. What a great way to stop and thank God for His blessings as a family. It is good to remember what God is done!  Psalm 22:27 says: “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.” Your summer family journal could be a way to document God’s faithfulness and worship Him together.

Are you sold on this idea yet? If so, here are a few tips for making this project fun, doable, and easy.

  • Purchase a journal and some fun new markers or crayons. Choose a notebook with study pages that can hold up to wear and tear.
  • Choose a central location in your home to keep the journal that will remind people to add to it. Maybe the kitchen island or table in the family room. Set the markers in a jar by the journal to encourage people to write in it.
  • Explain how the journal works to your kids. You might consider having each child work on it a different day during the week.
  • Take it with you on vacation! It could be the very thing to keep your kids busy while waiting at the airport or surviving those long road trips.
  • Choose a time every week or two to sit down as a family and appreciate the work of the journal. Maybe have people read their entries aloud or share what they drew. After you share, take time to pray and thank God for what He has given your family.
  • Don’t be perfectionist about the journal! Be okay with it being messy and a little disorganized. This doesn’t need to be a beautiful Creative Memories scrapbook. It’s a fun collection of thoughts and memories from the little hands in your family!
  • Make sure mom and dad contribute to the journal as well. Kids will love hearing your perspective on the events of your summer!
  • Invite any summer guests (grandparents, friends from out of town, etc.) to contribute to your journal as well.
  • Most of all – have fun if you choose to do this project. Laugh with your family and enjoy documenting your memories of God’s faithfulness together.

School’s Out for Summer

 Family, Summer  Comments Off
Jun 032011
 

Summer is one of the most joyous seasons for kids. What kid doesn’t love summer? No school. No homework. Swimming. Playing in the backyard. Summer camp. Staying up late. Vacations. Catching fireflies. What’s not to love?

Today is the last day of school for Columbia Public Schools and many kids are dreaming about the summer ahead of them. Two and half months of freedom are spread out before them and the possibilities seem endless. Last week was my last day of school at Stephens College Children’s School and we talked in our morning meeting about what kids were most hoping to do this summer. Here were some of their hopes for the summer ahead.

• Going fishing with dad
• Playing video games
• Visiting grandma and grandpa
• Being on a swim team
• Shopping with my mom in Kansas City
• Sleeping in
• Camping with Uncle Steve

I was struck by how many kids talked about doing something special with their moms, dads, and family members. Summer to many of my students included spending time with family in a way they don’t get to during the school year. Maybe your child has these hopes for the upcoming summer as well. Certainly, all kids want to play video games and hang out with friends, but many kids crave special time with family. Are your kids craving special time with you? Perhaps it’s because of the busy pace we keep from August to May, that summer feels like a break for everyone. What does your summer look like? Will you have more time with your children than you normally do? If so, what will you do with that time? Two and half months will go by fast.

As the summer is laid out ahead of us, think about how you can use the time God has given you to really invest in your kids this summer. Investing in your kids this summer doesn’t mean you need to take fancy vacations or spend lots of money. The best way to invest in your kids is to spend time with them. In a blog post at Sovereign Grace Ministries, C. J. Mahaney writes,

“Family vacations are FAMILY vacations. Ultimately family vacations are about being together as a family, deepening relationships with each other, conversing together, laughing together and encouraging each other. What a family does together is much more important than where a family goes together. And it’s possible to have a low-budget vacation that is truly wealthy in what matters, developing close relationships as a family, and creating memories that make a difference, all for the glory of God.”

I think Mahaney’s words can apply to any special time you spend with your family this summer, whether you are spending a day at the park or driving to Florida on vacation. Investing in your family and creating memories together can be done for the glory of God. Just like the kids in my class at school shared, I am sure your kids would love nothing more than special time with YOU this summer. Use the upcoming two and half months to be with your kids and enjoy just being together. Go on walks, catch fireflies, read books, go to the pool, and play ball with your kids. God has given us this summer as a gift with our families. Let’s invest in our kids by creating memories they will always cherish and let’s do it for His glory.