How We Begin & End Our Days With Our Kids Matters

Grogginess can take the place of devotions and weariness can override tuck in time. But, how we start and end our days with our kids matters. 

There’s no magic formula – just in some way, what is key, is making time to connect with the Lord and our children. 

Some mornings are busier than others, but it’s great if we can get in a routine most days.

It doesn’t have to be long, complicated, or drawn out. It can be simple. 

In comments below, I’ve listed some devotional recommendations that we’ve loved. I’d love to hear yours as well – pls list the ages it’s for as well. 

But, even if we just read one verse and talk about it together at breakfast, that can make a difference.

What is your nighttime routine like? 

At night, I ‘ll sing a simple song to my kids (Even though I can’t sing AT. All., they still love hearing me sing for some reason!) I’ll sing “Jesus loves [my child’s name], for the Bible tells me so…” or another song with their name in it. 

Then, I’ll say, “Tell me something about your day. Good or bad – anything on your heart.”

Taking a few minutes in the morning for a devotional and a few minutes at night to tuck our kids in makes a difference.

We all fall short, we all have busy mornings, we all have moments when we’re not feeling it, and that’s okay – there’s SO much grace with the Lord.

It’s okay. 

But, if we can strive to open and wrap up our days with connection, our relationships will see the fruit of that.❤️

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7

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On the hard days & great days with our kids, Lord, remind us of the gift our children are. ❤️

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To those struggling in your marriages (a note & a prayer),

I know it can be tough to scroll through and see people’s families or marriages that appear “perfect”. Ones that seem so much happier than your own, maybe evoking hurt, loneliness, and emptiness.

But, everyone has tough moments and seasons in marriage. 

And, moving through the conflict is part of what makes our connections deeper and closer. 

Since you can’t control your spouse’s actions or how they are, it can feel helpless at times, as you watch other marriages that appear to be easier and more seamless than your own.

But, that’s okay. Every. Single. Marriage. is different. There is not one way it is. 

When your heart pains you and you can’t see hope, there is hope in the Lord. The Lord loves you dearly. No matter the situation, you can ALWAYS pray and have hope in him. HE can change hearts. You can always bring it to the Lord. Always. There is power in that.

Know that I’m joining in prayer for you now. The Lord knows you. Your heart. Your hurt. Your pain. He sees you. 

Jesus, would you be with the person who is struggling. The one who has felt pain, loneliness, or hopeless in marriage. Would you bring hope and healing to them. Would you connect them and fill them with your peace, humility, presence, reconciliation, and joy. 

Thank you, Lord, for your unending mercy and grace. We pray by the power of your Spirit, that you would bring connection, life, and joy to their relationship. 

Where one wants to sow discord, help that person sow peace instead. 
When one wants to be defensive, help them put their armor down. 
When one wants to respond with rude words and a rude tone, help them speak with kindness instead. 
Where one continues reflecting on the pain, help them walk in forgiveness. 
Where one continues to argue, help them to lead with humility. 
When one wants to attack in judgement, help them to look inward to see what they need to change instead. 
Where one is building a wall, help them to be vulnerable, 
Where one is keeping distance, help them to come close, 
Where one sees the other as their enemy, Lord, help them look at one another with a graceful love that comes straight from you. 

Thank you, Lord, for how you are working and moving. Help us all reflect YOU in our marriages by loving one another well and choosing to love. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

*If you haven’t read the marriage devotional, “The Love Dare”, it is worth reading. 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ❤️

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