“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8

As a former teacher, I have learned that for most kids, young and old alike, it is best to try to teach the subjects that require the greatest concentration first thing, while their minds are fresh. We can use this same concept for starting our day with the Lord. While our kids are fresh and not as bogged down by the things that will happen throughout the day, we should teach them to store up His word in their hearts (Psalm 119:11) and to put their hope in His words (Psalm 119:147).

When my kids were super young I would try to read them stories or do a short, little “school” lesson, only to be met with wiggles and talking and hands getting into things that they weren’t supposed to be into. Finally, it dawned on me to stick a snack in their hands and sit with them at a table. It seems like such a simple solution, but it really worked! Everyone had something to keep their hands busy (the food) and by sitting at a table, everyone had their own personal space so they weren’t as tempted to mess with their brother and sisters.

Eventually we started having our morning meetings at the breakfast table (which for many years was at a tiny, kid-sized, green table with four tiny, wobbly chairs on which I am sure I exceeded the weight limit). We started when my girls were learning their ABC’s, and we were spending a week on each letter. We would do activities about each letter, eat foods that started with that letter, practice writing those letters, etc. Each morning we would read a story from the Bible about a person whose name started with that letter. This led to more of my teacher side coming out-I could teach them the Bible using THEMES!!!

Every month we memorize a new Bible verse (I try to teach them with motions or through a song), and that Bible verse contains the theme for the month. For example, this month’s Bible verse has been Isaiah 46:9: “I am God, and there is no other. I am God and there is none like Me.” So our theme has been God’s Power. We have looked at Bible stories that show how powerful God is, and we talk about how He is the ONLY One who is able to do the things He has done.

Our morning meetings don’t always go super smoothly, but I have never regretted the time we spend together and with the Lord. Some days the kids all sit quietly and listen and answer my questions, while other days someone is angry or fussing or being way too silly. The Lord can use the good days and the bad days to teach ALL of us His ways and lead us in His Truth (Psalm 25:5). When we commit our way to the Lord and trust in Him, He will act (Psalm 37:5).