• Aug. 29, 2006
Images from Psalms

We continue to read a Psalm a day at breakfast.  I can't say enough about this practice.  One benefit of it that I see for young children (and adults as well!) is that there are images of God in the Psalms that can give children a picture of who He is and how He takes care of them. 

Yesterday and today we read from Psalms 28 and 29 repspectively.  Psalm 28 portrays God as a Shepherd and his people as sheep.  This is a great picture for kids!  I explained to them what shepherds do (since there aren't a lot of shepherds around here =)).  I reminded them about sheep... how small and defenseless and senseless they are.  I told them that Daddy and Mommy and each of them are God's little sheep and that He protects and guides us like a shepherd.  He give us our food and shelter.  He keeps us from harm.  He's a good Shepherd.

Today's Psalm (29) was about the power of the voice of the LORD.  And it ends with a picture of God as King reigning over all His creation.  That's another great image for kids.  Heaven knows how many playtimes around here are consumed with kings and queens and villains and knights!   That's an image that my children can relate to.  In fact, we used one of our favorite picture books, Rumplestiltskin, to remind ourselves what a king does.  Of course, the king in Rumplestitskin is the antithesis of our kind and generous king.  I was able to use something they knew (kings; specifically the greedy, mean king from Rumplestiltskin) to connect it with something they need to know about God.  That unlike the king in a favorite picture book, Jesus is a good, kind, powerful and generous king. 

Did you know that the that awesome brain God gave each of us is a pattern-seeking (i.e. connective) device?  In other words, as much as we can, we need to work to connect new information that we want our kids to know with something they already know (a pattern).  When we connect God to something they already konw about, He becomes more real to them.

So, I encourage you to use the Psalms to show children who God really is.  The images they portray are powerful and relatable.  And true worship comes only as we know Him more and more.  I want my children to be true worshippers.  How about you?

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Comments

• Aug. 29, 2006
Untitled Comment

Posted by reformingmama

I love our Psalm-at-breakfast routine, too. I think we're on Psalm 78 now. Your post was a great reminder to me to not just read it, but discuss it as well.
Thank you!
Stacy

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• Aug. 29, 2006
Untitled Comment

Posted by chickadee

thanks for the idea. we did proverbs last year.

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• Aug. 29, 2006
Untitled Comment

Posted by Rebeca

Auuggghhhhh... I started reading a Psalm to the kids at breakfast each morning and ....... well, it didn't last very long. Thanks for the reminder.
Sheepishly,
Rebeca (Who is glad we have a GOOD Shepherd!)

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• Aug. 30, 2006
Thanks...

Posted by

for commenting my sweet blog friends. I, of course, must thank Stacy for the Psalm a day idea. I have loved it and when I slow down and explain, well, that seems to help. It reminds me as well. Even though I've had my quiet time only 1 hour before, it seems sometimes by then I have turned into selfish and impatient mommy again. So, the Psalm softens my heart also. I'm sure that doesn't happen to you girls, I'm just sayin'...=)

Rebeca, He IS a good Shepherd, isn't He?
Warmly,
Joni

Edited by Joni on Aug. 30, 2006 at 6:44 AM

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