As single moms, you’re likely wishing Santa Claus would drop some fresh ideas down your chimney in what to do with the kids. Well, Santa and his elves are NOT on the way; however, the staff at Arise Ministries has arrived with five weekend activities. But the goal is not just keeping them busy. The goal is to “sneak” in principles from God’s Word “as they are doing” the activity. Sometimes being “sneaky” is good. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 tells us how to do just that: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” In other words, in all ways and every day there are opportunities to “weave in” God’s Word.
So here. Start weaving with one of these suggestions.
1. Purge. Clean out some neglected spaces with your kids?closet, drawer, under the bed, etc. Play fun music, and decide in advance not to become annoyed when you find all the misplaced items. As you get rid of things you no longer need, talk about Hebrews 12:1. Scripture encourages us to throw off things that easily entangle us. Just as we are getting rid of clutter, unwanted toys, or clothes and cleaning up spaces in our homes, we should also do this with our hearts. Ask your kids, “Are there things in our lives we need to get rid of?”
2. Bake. Gather the ingredients to make a cake. Point out that it needs flour, eggs, sugar, etc. Each part is important for the cake to turn out well. There are multiple life lessons during baking time. For example, in life there are sweet times and bland times, but God promises in Romans 8:28 that eventually He will blend them all together for our good and His great reputation. Also, while setting the timer for the cake, you might share that God’s timing is perfect. Psalm 27:14 instructs us to wait for the Lord, to be strong, and to let our hearts take courage. Ask your kids what are some ingredients in your life that God will use for good?
3. Make. Gather the kids for a nature walk. Wrap masking tape around their wrist with the sticky side up. Begin the walk teaching that God is good, creative, the Creator. Share Geneisis1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Have the children look for God’s creation to place on their tape bracelets: flowers, pebbles, leaves. During the walk, ask your kids, “What are you thankful God made?” They might say my family, my friends, my sister (you hope they’d say that), my school, and above all…”You, mommy!”
4. Gaze. Take the kids outside and make a pallet on the grass. Play the quiet game for a few minutes. Whisper, “I love you.” Have them gaze up to the stars and just think. Ask them to shhh… listen. Ask, “What sounds do you hear?” Softly share Zephaniah 3:17?that Jesus is quiet in His love, that quiet times are good times to think about Jesus and what He tells us in the Bible. Share Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
5. Recreate. Even while being stuck at home you can expand your horizon in the art world and give yourself and your children some culture. The Getty Museum has challenged art fans to post photos of themselves recreating favorite works of art. You can then post your pic on the museum’s social media sites. This is your chance to share your artistic interpretations. Check out the museum’s blog site that shares examples of what others have done. Sit back, take a look, and grin. https://blogs.getty.edu/iris/getty-artworks-recreated-with-household-items-by-creative-geniuses-the-world-over/ . Then share with your children that we are to be imitators of Christ and not men. We will never be perfect like Christ, but we should still try to model His behavior. Ask them, “What are examples of Christ’s behavior? ” (love others, serve others, etc.)
Friend, during this time at Arise Ministries know this: WE LOVE YOU and YOUR KIDS! Press on, keep your head up, and let us hear from you.
About Pam Kanaly
Aloha! I’m Pam Kanaly, President and co-founder of Arise Ministries. But actually, I think Arise found me wanting to bless single moms years ago. Ministry was never on my mind as a kid. All I wanted to be was a hula dancer. So Mother enrolled me in the tiny tots’ class. Guess God knew I’d have two grandbabies born in Hawaii. I love the great outdoors. You might even find me spending time with my husband grizzly bear watching or camping. In fact, it was on a turkey hunt that God gave me the name Arise Ministries in 2002. I suppose it’s a good thing that I majored in Grammar in college since I love to write words of encouragement to single moms.