Family Faith and Fun Fridays: The "Not Even Birthday" Party!
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.
between joint and marrow.
It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
-Hebrews 4:12
Welcome to Family Faith and Fun Fridays (on Saturday!). 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 Not-Even-A-Birthday Party
It’s a tradition at our home to allow the resident preschooler to host our annual Autumn pumpkin party. While this party is always thrown near Halloween, the focus is less on “tricks” and more on the “treat” of a grand celebration of God’s great orange creation. This year, Joshua inherited the honor of being the pumpkin party prince. With great excitement, he invited his favorite friends and asked for twelve days straight, “When is my ‘pumpkin birthday party?'” He just couldn’t seem to grasp the idea of partying for pure pleasure. But when I explained that this party was a time set aside to cheer for God who so marvelously thought up pumpkins, Joshua smiled. Later, as he told our neighbor about the “party without any birthday presents” we were planning, he declared with appropriate awe, “God doesn’t even NEED a birthday to be celebrated!”
As my neighbor swallowed a giggle, I marveled at my young son’s aptly spoken truth and made a mental note to toss a few more parties “just because.” After all, God is a master party planner- just check the Old Testament list of celebrations and festivities if you don’t believe me 🙂
Once Joshua’s friends walked through the door yesterday with their pumpkins in hand, he quickly caught on to the delightful concept of frivolous festivity. The kids jumped and danced around a pumpkin path in a game reminiscent of musical chairs. They dug for treasure in a giant jack-o-lantern (otherwise known as a big orange bucket), decorated crazy pumpkin creatures, and ate orange sweets while they listened to the precious children’s tale The Pumpkin Patch Parable. (This sweet story by Liz Curtis Higgs reminds us that we can be like happy jack-o-lanterns shining brightly for Jesus). All in all, it was a marvelous way to applaud the maker of pumpkins and children alike!
While you may not be up for throwing a pumpkin party before the last of Autumn’s bounty freezes on the front steps, why not throw a family party that celebrates God “just because.” The possibilities for celebration are endless if you glance around His creation. How about a leaf party, an acorn party, a harvest moon party, or a cool kid party? Pick your favorite work of His hands and start celebrating! You might confuse your kids at first, but I guarantee they won’t complain a bit!
We had so much fun, thanks…even though they continue to call it Josh’s pumpkin birthday party…oh well. Thanks!