Faith and Family Fun Fridays: How To Have Peace Like A River (Or Why Life With Jesus is NEVER Boring)
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
-Hebrews 4:12
Welcome to Family Faith and Fun Fridays! As the week winds down and I anticipate more family time over the weekend, I often ask God for one good idea that will enable me to bring the Word to life and bring our family together. Usually, the activity overflows out of something the Lord has been teaching me through His Word during the week. I’d like to invite you to join me and my family in the adventure. Sometimes I’ll post things we’ve tried; other times I’ll post an idea in the works. If you’ve got thoughts to add or suggestions on how to adapt or improve the activity, please don’t hesitate to comment. Enjoy!
Peace Like A River…
Right in Our Own Backyard
Earlier this week I received this awesome idea for making a foil river from Jenae,
Yesterday I read this verse in Isaiah as I soaked in the Word before my crew climbed out of bed.
“I am the Lord your God who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.” (Isaiah 48:18)
I remembered sitting in Sunday School, little me on that baby-bear chair and singing along with Miss Kathy as she strummed her guitar. “I’ve got peace like a river. I’ve got peace like a river…”
The tune was catchy and those hand actions were fun, but I remember thinking- “Peace like a river? That sounds kind of boring.”
Years later when I’d outgrown that baby bear chair, I was sitting once again in a church and listening to Beth Moore via DVD talk about life with Christ.
After directing us to Isaiah 48:18, she said, “Girlfriend, if you think that peace like a river sounds boring, then you’ve never really seen a river before!”
She went on to remind us that rivers are full of moving water. White-capped rapids and sky-high splashes. She talked about how a river moves around and over any obstacles in its way and provides refreshment for all who linger near its waters.
I began to hum that silly Sunday School tune once again, and I thought to myself, “I guess I want peace like a river, after all!”
So yesterday, I decided to use Jenae’s great idea to show my little ones just how exciting a life of peace with Jesus can be.
Then the kids placed Hotwheels cars in the water and watched the water push the little vehicles along, all the way to the river’s end.
Sometimes the cars would get stuck for just a moment but then the water would push them over the little foil bumps and spin them farther along the river.
As we cheered those racers on, I pointed out how the water just kept pushing the tiny vehicles along. Then I asked, “Do you think that racing down a river would be boring?”Of course the kids responded with a hearty NO.
I continued, “Did you know that the Bible says when we do life Jesus’ way then He promises that our life will be like a river.”
I read Isaiah 48:18 from the Message– “I am God, your God,
who teaches you how to live right and well.
I show you what to do, where to go.
If you had listened all along to what I told you,
your life would have flowed full like a river,
blessings rolling in like waves from the sea.”
“What do you think that means?” I asked.
“I think that Jesus will keep us moving toward Heaven,” Hannah said.
“And He makes life so FUN,” Josh added.
“And He pushes us over the bumps and keeps us from getting stuck,” I pointed out.
Then our little lesson spiraled into a water fight.
And I prayed that my children would crave LIVING WATER and dare to ride the rapids of faith with Christ!
If you’re looking for something simple to do together this weekend, why not grab the aluminum foil and build yourself a backyard river?
It just might be the perfect way to keep cool AND water your children’s faith all at the same time!
What a sweet and fun lesson! 🙂
How fun! My boys would totally love that! We went canoeing on a river the other day and I was filled with peace. Have a great weekend!
nice…that is a great way to make it real for them…bet they had a lot of fun…and learned something as well…