Prayer Circle <not sure how we ended up calling it that: it's prayer and we sit in a circle so I guess it just fits> BACK to the point.... as I was saying... Prayer Circle is what we do around the Brown house to spiritually connect to one another AND to spend time making sure that discipleship is happening in our kids lives from US and not just through our <amazing> church!
(Disclaimer: it was also a way to add a little efficiency to our "bed time" rituals...instead of an hour of prayers and tucking in and now the kids are off to bed at 9 instead of 8 when the whole process started... we all pray together and off to beds with kisses & hugs it is:)
* ideas on how to implement your own type of "prayer circle" to come in a future post*
But had to share about tonights PC:
As we went around the circle~ tonights question for the kids was "How can we pray for you this week & whats a way we can be an encouragement to you this week?"
It was what every parent (who cares about their kids spiritual being) dream night~ Ethan shared how he doesn't want to take breaks from church (aka we've been on vacation for spring break) because he doesn't want to miss out on his verse from pipeline and he wants us to encourage him to learn more of God's word. And Kennedy (who has to do her own thing & answer her own question instead of the one asked, but nonetheless it was exactly as it was supposed to be) shared that in her heart she's so excited for this week because it her absolute favorite time of year because there is such focus on Christ <Palm Sunday- Good Friday- Easter Sunday> and each year she finds out more & understands it differantly... so she asked us all to not pray for her OR encourage her but instead to please start conversations with her this week about Jesus! Madison asked us to encourage her to read her bible each day & to ask her if she did <she then added~ but mom please stop it at that and not lecture me on it :/ >
And when Ethan said but don't you already read it at school (she goes to Christian school) she responded so perfectly with... but that's not for my God time it's school work & we're not doing it right now. I was so proud of the maturity she showed in that answer, I know adults in ministry that check of their God time with their prep time for a teaching/preaching experience. This maturity is something her daddy models so well to them!
My FEAR <insert core sin there> is that my kids will grow up & run from the church/God... but moments like these melt my heart that God is honoring my prayers for them, that He's doing a mighty work in them, and that their church experience this far has modeled love to them!
~ not that this seems all braggy & such... my kids, our family is like any other family , the kids fight & don't listen, and talk back and on & on... and truth be told~ Matt & I swear that the kids hold their gas all day to store it up for PC:) but tonight this was the REAL situation around here & I will hold on to it until the next night like this rolls around.
If you have something you're doing to help disciple your kids~ can you share please:)
Tammy
Although the boys are little it is great to have those conversations with Ryland. It is amazing how much he can understand and great to see how he is thinking for himself. I can't wait for the conversation to continue.
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