Building Up

Over the last few weeks we have been working our way through one of my favorite family devotionals. It’s written by Clay and Sally Clarkson and is called Our 24 Family Ways. The book is broken down into 24 main standards for family life, such as “We serve one another with a humble attitude” or “We are grateful for the things we have, whether it is a little or a lot.” Each “Way” has a picture, a story example, lots of discussion questions, prayer points, Bible verses, and definitions to go with it. Much of the detailed information is too heavy for my kids, but I pick and choose from the material given. I love it because it sparks a definite character or heart issue that I can focus on weekly at home. Last week our topic was “Being a servant” and each time I caught the kids helping one another, they got to put marbles in a jar. When the jar was full (it took about 5 days), they will get a fun family outing (I think we will head to the pool this weekend). It was such a fun game to play all week was such an easy reinforcer for our devotionals.

This week we are talking about how: “We only speak words that will build up and encourage those around us.” With that in mind, I made a “finish line” on a kitchen cabinet. I got out the building blocks and every time a word that “built up” was spoken, that person would get to add a block to the tower. We wanted to see if by the end of the day, we could reach the finish line, which we were able to do. I won’t do a prize for this one (there’s only so much money in the ol‘ family wallet), but it was a lighthearted competition that we can have again tomorrow.

Anyway, I share these character-building ideas just because I know how desperately I am in need of fresh ideas that work from other moms, so, by all means, pass your good ideas over this direction. I know I need all the help I can get.