After a long play practice last Saturday, my daughter and I decided to enjoy lunch at the next door bakery. As we waited for our food, a friend (and fellow castmate) dropped in, stopping by our table for a quick hello. She explained that she was picking up a piece of pumkin pie and would then drive to our town where she would buy a "special coffee" at our local coffee shop. She shared how last week she'd done the same thing, but when she arrived home she found her pie box empty. She explained that, for the first time ever, her dog had slipped into the front seat and gobbled up every bite of her pie while she was in getting her coffee.
She said she had been SOOO looking forward to that special treat of just sitting and eating her pie and drinking her coffee that she nearly drove the ten miles back to get another pie! I commisserated completely. Haven't we all had that experience of eagerly anticipating something and then feeling the sharp letdown when we realize it won't happen?
This got me to thinking. Shouldn't we view our devotional time in that same way? Something to be eagerly anticipated and sorely regretted if missed? An event we approach with sweet anticipation?
I then began considering ways to make that portion of our school day a bit more "special" - a time to be relished and savored. Yes, we do begin our day with memory verses, a devotional, and prayer. But I'm thinking of making it more of an obviously intimate time. Not just a part of the school day, or an activity to be checked off the list.
Maybe snuggling up with some cozy blankets and taking time to share our thoughts over a warm cup of tea or cider. We are able to influence our children, by experience and example, how to treasure and relish their time with the Lord.
I'd love to hear your ideas, as well.
Related Tags: devotion, prayer, quiet time, education, creative learning, spiritual
