When we introduced my son Jack to baseball, I had a lot of advice. When he batted, I encouraged him to bend his knees. While playing catch, I drilled, “Keep your eye on the ball!”
After another missed catch, Jack cried, “Mom, enough!” and threw down his glove. My husband and I watched him storm inside our home.
“I think Jack needs to figure out catching and hitting on his own,” my husband suggested.
I glared at him and said, “You’re saying I need to shut my mouth, aren’t you?”
“Kinda,” he shrugged. “He’ll learn by playing.”
For the rest of the summer, my husband and I gave Jack many opportunities to practice baseball, but we avoided giving tips. My mantra: Show up more, say less.
Sure enough, Jack figured out catching and hitting. Now he’s in his third season of little league.
When we consider how to share faith with our children, we may lean on lecturing. “Please, for the love of God, stop hitting your brother.” “Be honest. You’re sure you didn’t eat the last ice pop?”
In the summer, caretakers are often under greater pressure to guide and entertain their kids. For many, school’s out and Sunday school is suspended. We take vacations, send our children to camps, go camping ourselves. Baseball games and pool trips call us. Our schedules relax and possibly our church attendance too. With shifting routines, it may seem as if there are less chances for prayer and worship.
Forming faith in our kids is a lot like teaching baseball—as caretakers, we need to give them ample opportunities to practice it. Likewise, we’ll need to trust the Spirit and let our kids figure out their beliefs on their own.
This might mean listening to Forrest Frank, CityAlight or your favorite worship artists on your summer road trip. Or try a movie night watching episodes of The Chosen. Sign your children up for vacation Bible school. Whisper prayers while laying out under the stars.
We can’t force faith on children, but we can invite them to engage with Jesus’ teachings. As they form their own impressions about God, they’ll have much to teach us as well.
Practices
- Attend church regularly with your children. If you are traveling on a Sunday, search for a nearby ELCA congregation to visit or watch your church stream worship online. You could also DIY with your family: Read the Gospel, sing a hymn and pray for your neighbors.
- Volunteer at a local food pantry with
your family, perhaps packing and sorting items. Before you serve, say a prayer for all who are hungry and thank God for providing sustenance.
- Incorporate Bible stories into your regular reading time. Going on a picnic? Take along the Spark Story Bible (Sparkhouse, 2009). Reading bedtime stories? Try using Psalm 23 as your final blessing.
