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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Helping Your Child See God in Everyday Life

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon 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

Today I want you to meet another D6 mom, Van Walton. She’s one of my friends and P31 teammates. Van has two sons: one in college and one married, who’s also attending grad school. I’ve always seen Van as a mentor mom – she’s so good at it. She is also great at recognizing and capturing D6 stories with her kids (teaching spiritual truths in everyday life lessons). Here is how she started becoming a D6 mom years ago:

“I touch it.”

My little boy planted the palm of his hand on the window, longing to reach out from the airplane floating over fluffy clouds.

With each trip through the sky my little guy became more intrigued with clouds. I had introduced him to them from earth, but here he had an up-close-and-personal glimpse. He wanted to touch them. On another trip he struggled to understand how they could be seen but not touched. Next trip, he asked me to explain how they could be seen, yet they wouldn’t hold us if we tried bouncing on them.

Teaching our children about God is like introducing them to clouds. How do you explain something that is visible but not tangible? Even more challenging, how do you introduce a child to an invisible God who is real and can be seen, if you know where to find him?

I remember one of my first D6 moments with my boys. It was soon after the day they were given their first crayons. They scribbled in delight filling pages with lines, shapes, and strange markings. Like any mother I happily displayed their work.

One day as we drove into the sunset, I pointed out the windshield and announced, “Look boys. God has been coloring too.”

They squealed with delight. They couldn’t wait to go home and paint a picture to show Him. Even though they had heard me pray and refer to God from infancy, they now understood my talk. Seeing the work of God’s hands, they related. From then on I brought God into our everyday life, asking Him to inspire me. And God has been faithful!

One windy day He helped me introduce my son, Aaron, to the Holy Spirit. Fanning his face so he could feel the movement of air, I instructed, “God is like the wind. You can’t see Him, but you can feel and experience the result of his presence.” Months later a little breeze blew in. Aaron wondered aloud, “Has God come to play?”

Another day, my younger son Benjamin begged for a puppy. I relented and, while bathing the filthy-brought-home-from-the-shelter stray, God proved faithful again as He nudged my heart to tell my son how bathing the dog was like Baptism – he would be made clean.

Together we learned from a lost and lonely doggie, how obedience and dependence on a Master, especially when He calls us to follow, has the power to turn a life of captivity into one of freedom.

Clouds, wind, puppies…God’s nature and character is everywhere. Showing our children how to find Him in the midst of each day is a mother’s greatest privilege and joy, especially when it leads them to finding God on their own.

I love hearing how other moms live out Deuteronomy 6 – and show us how to teach our children about God as we do life with them and Him each day. Later this week I’ll be sharing more about taking this to the next level with older children.Can’t wait to hear your thoughts and stories!

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Today’s Mom Give-Away

Today I’ll be giving away Van’s amazing children’s story From the Pound to the Palace in book form and on DVD (starring my son, Andrew, as the voice of a puppy, along with Josh and I as the voices of a boy and his mom). If you win and have older children who’ve grown out of children’s stories, I”ll substitute a mom book you’d enjoy. I’ll also be giving a very cute D6 mom shirt and two more tickets to give for the SOLD OUT event – Girls Nite Out in Houston!

To be part of today’s give-aways, click on the words “comments” below this post. Be sure to let me know what City and State you are in. PLEASE include your email in your comment so we can get in touch if you win!

For more mom encouragement, visit Van’s blog or to introduce your child to Air, the dog in real life – visit his site here.

We’ll be giving away gifts every day, so be sure to come back for more mom encouragement and resources from D6 and Proverbs 31 Ministries!

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Comments

  1. What wonderful examples of bringing Jesus in to our every day events and happenings. I have two boys myself and this post is a real encouragement to me.

    Blessings,

    Caroline
    thegrossmans(at)carolina(dot)rr(dot)com
    City: Charlotte

  2. What great D6 ideas. I have a 16 mth old son and a baby on the way. He is still little but very smart. Before every meal I tell him that we are going to pray. He puts his hands together, lays his head on his highchair tray and says his prayer while I say mine. I can’t understand anything that he is saying but is so cute that he understanding this concept so early in life.
    [email protected]

  3. I would love so much to go to the GNO!!! If I’m not too late, please enter me. I’m in Richmond, VA

    Thank you Renee!

  4. I just found you and am enjoying it all. You are a great encouragement to me at a time when I really need it. I have 5 children and am raising a grandchild. I can share much of your wisdom with the little ones I come in contact with at church, home and school. Thank you and God Bless You Susan

  6. I have been very blessed by the stories shared on this site. Today’s story has certainly hit home – no one is a perfect parent and we should seek to help each other. Please pray for my son, Brandon, I need God to do a total transformation in his life. Brandon is 10 years old and if he does not change his attitude in school the end result will be bad. Thank you in advance for your prayers.

    Andrea
    [email protected]

  8. Thank you for those encouraging ideas today on sharing with my 3 kids ages 8,5 & 2 on how God is everywhere. I've been struggling on how to share with my kids how God is all around us. I believe God directed me here and plan to visit as much as I can. Thanks!
    Anna
    [email protected]

  9. Thank you for the encouraging words. I have always heard the Proverbs 31 on K-Love but just recently started to visit the website. Wow! So much good information.

    LD in WV

  12. Thanks for sharing the D6 stories. After reading for the past few weeks I am definitely inspired to talk about God in everyday life and situations to my sons. Thanks again.

    JD at [email protected]

  15. Thanks for the continued encouragement, as I am trying to be more intentional with my kiddos! We have five ages 10-17…and will soon be adding more though foster care adoption. So I need much encouragement!

    Thanks!
    Shannon
    [email protected]

  16. I would love to have a copy of Van’s book. I struggle with ways to bring God’s word to my two girls in ways they can understand – especially my 4 year old. She adores puppies and picture books. This would be perfect.
    [email protected]

  17. Wonderful stories! (You know I’m going to piggyback off of those.) That’s exactly what I need – my daughter is almost four and she loves all of her Bible stories and songs but I’m not sure how ‘real’ it is to her yet. I love the correlations to her everyday life!

    [email protected]

  19. I am really glad to learn of the D6 website and learn more about the SPLINK. I am feeling more encouraged today and excited to know some direction for helping my kids.

    I would like to be included in the drawing…
    [email protected]
    Weatherford, TX