This term was used in the sermon Sunday and it has just stayed with me. Of all of the things I hoped to create in our home when my kids were growing up, it was probably this- a home where the Lord was respected and loved and saught. I can’t say that I did a very good job of this…..there’s so much I would do differently, now as I look back.

But….. I get to be a NANA now.

And, I can offer suggestions to others who are now raising littles and desire to create a home that points to HIM.

As believers in Christ, we are called to be set apart. We are challenged to live differently, using God’s Word as a guide. This changes the way we parent and grandparent. While the world may set success, happiness, and even fun as family goals, our goals are different. We desire that our children live holy and godly lives, honor the Lord, and serve others. Our goal is not to point our children toward success and temporary happiness, but to point our children toward service and eternal joy.

How do we begin this process when our children are young? There are simple but powerful habits that we can build into our family routines.

1. End each day with a Bible Story. There are so many great Bible Story books available for us to use with our kids each evening. This can be a one-page retelling of a story from God’s Word. It can take 60 seconds, but in those precious moments, you are exposing them to the truth in God’s Word. You are telling them, “This book is important. It matters. It teaches us and gives us wisdom for living.”
2. End each day with prayer. Lead your child in simple prayer. Give thanks for the blessings evident in your family and pray for others. This instills a habit of talking to the Lord, a perspective that all of our “good” comes from Him, and builds empathy for others around us who need help and prayer. This is powerful, and more than that- this builds a life-line between our children and the Lord Himself.
3. Pray before meals and pray spontaneously! Pray a simple prayer before each meal, acknowledging that we are continually THANKFUL. Also, when problems or challenges arise, stop and say a prayer together. Help them understand that we can stop and pray to the Lord anytime, anywhere. Instead of worrying or getting anxious, we are modeling something different- seeking peace and hope by going to God in prayer.
4. Point to the Lord in creation. As we are out and about, point to nature, point to beauty, point to design. Be intentional about teaching that this world is not random, but all due to God’s design and purpose.
5. Make worship a priority. No excuses- He is more than worthy. We go to church and we worship, we sing, we pray, we praise. We read the BIBLE. We are in community with other believers: our children will learn so much in those sweet Sunday School classes.
6. Read BOOKS that point to Jesus. Read the fun and clever books. Read about trucks and sea animals and silly adventures. But, be sure to build in stories of faith, laying a foundation of faith. Use the season at hand- read books about Jesus at Christmas, books about love and sacrifice at Easter, books about life and creation during the summer, books about faith and friendship as school starts. You get the idea – use books!
7. Listen to praise music. Play music that teaches, music with pure and admirable lyrics. Fill their hearts and minds with GOODNESS.

If our desire is to establish a HOLY HOME, we have to create holy habits. We have to choose this every day. We have to live our faith and teach our faith and show our littles that to live set apart is an honor. As we Book Time With our Kids, we have to select content that helps them understand who Jesus is. In order to create a Holy Home, we have to make choices that are pure and good….and worthy.

THE ONE WHO CREATED, by Nina Wheeling ; order here!

^{Philippians 4:8:} Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

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