making brothers and sisters best friends

ann voskamp, gratitude, journals, making brothers and sisters best friends, one thousand gifts, Simply...Living For Him

Gratitude Journals-and Making Brothers and Sister Best Freinds

We have added gratitude journals to our Bible time in the mornings. {we tried these while back, but somehow, they were forgotten…}

The reason is, without gratitude, how can I cultivate love in our family?

So after our Bible reading (so far focusing on love…for each other, our enemies, etc.), we then sing praise and worship, followed by prayer.

Afterwards, we are reading from Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends. We read this a few years back, but I felt like it was time to read it again. The book is written by three teenage brothers and sisters. It is so good!

The whole premise is that our families were designed exactly by God. Our family is a gift from God, and we should reject what the world says about it being “normal” for brothers and sisters to have discord. We should focus on our family being the priority and all of us being on the same team.

With lots of wit and humor, this book is a great read aloud. It is filled with scripture as well to bring home the points, and direct us to God’s Word and what He has to say about families. There is also lots of practical application to apply the principles in the book.

After we read, we then take out our journals. The kids are required to write down something each day that they are grateful for.

{these photos are from last year’s journals, but aren’t they sweet?}

I decided to do this after the new year, because gratitude truly does foster joy. After reading Ann Voskamp’sOne Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, this was very evident to me.

So now we are writing down things we are grateful for each day. I want the children to be grateful-not just for the big things-my home, my family, God- but for the little things.

Because after all, they all come from God~the big things and the little things.

“Because what will the math really matter if they are bitter? If the house is immaculate — but my attitude a mess? If they can count — but they don’t know how to count all things as joy? If we get the lists done, but have lost happiness in Him? How can any grammar skill outweigh the fact they don’t know the language of grace and thanks? What good will it be if they can recite all the major British battles — but they don’t know to see beauty? What am I teaching our children if I’m not living simply, quietly this: “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” (Phil. 4:8). Focusing on what is beautiful, good, true –isn’t this the truest education?

Ann Voskamp, at A Holy Experience

SimplyLivingforHim

January 4, 2012 by Karen DeBeus

devotions, making brothers and sisters best friends

Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends…

I just started the book “Making Brothers and Sister Best Friends” which was recommended by a friend. We are using it for our morning devotional/Bible time. Today was the first day, and so far I love what this book has to say!

The book is written by three kids! I believe they are homeschooled. It is written so all the kids can enjoy listening to it, and there are some funny cartoons and stories to go along.

Now most of the time my kids do get along. However they sure do have their moments. Grace and John seem to argue the most. Grace also has been down at times about being the only girl. The book right off the bat addresses the issue of complaining about your place in the family or wanting more brothers/sisters, etc.

So far today we read that the family is God’s plan and satan will do everything he can to destroy a godly family. We need to be on guard for this. We also learned family is a blessing to us and God’s gift to us. We are a team and should not be working against each other.

This book looks amazing and teaches kids how they are truly made to be each other’s best friends. The world is often filled with the notions that brothers and sister are supposed to argue and not get along. We should not succumb to that substandard. God created families to do good things for Him and His purposes. I am excited to see how this book can change the kids views of each other and how it can benefit our family.

SimplyLivingforHim

January 25, 2010 by Karen DeBeus