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 and 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!
The Love Tree
This week as we packed away our cute little mailboxes and wrapped up our fourteen days of love, I began asking the Lord how we could finish this month of love well. For the first fourteen days of this short month, my children’s focus had been on receiving the gift of love. But that’s only one side of love. Sometimes, the more difficult part of love is in giving it away. On Valentine’s Day, I read the wise admonition that came from the unidentified author of the book of Hebrews. “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24), and I decided that was exactly what our family needed to end this month of cut-out-hearts and candy kisses.
So, the love tree was born! A rebirth of our Christmas giving tree, this simple little creation is just what we need to spur five kids (and their mommy) on to some deliberate acts of love. A few nights ago the whole Bruxvoort clan brainstormed their own unique ideas for spreading love across our town and even across the globe. I translated the ideas onto fourteen doilies and we committed to plucking one act of love from our tree each day in hopes of growing a bit more of that first fruit of the Spirit.
Here are just a few of the “love motivators” we’ll put into action as the month winds down.
*Feed the hungry
*Send a letter to someone who needs encouragement
*Do a secret act of love for a family member
*Do a chore for someone without getting caught
*Deliver flowers to someone in the hospital
*Visit someone who is lonely
*Surprise a teacher with an unexpected act of love
*Pass out 3 compliments today
*Bless someone who serves you daily with a tangible act of love
*Give something of yours to someone who is lacking
And the list goes on!
My prayer is that our next fourteen days will simply be a warm-up activity to a lifetime of loving not just in word, but also in deed!
