BridgeBox Family

I got off track. It happens. This was my first summer working outside the home in nearly a decade. Any major life change or detour from the norm can really mess with my routine. That’s usually when I lose momentum.

So, this is me re-dedicating myself to the practice of a daily family devotional-just in time for the new school year.

Here’s how it works:

Every weekday morning before sending our kids out into the world, we spend 5-10 minutes together having a principle-based discussion. In our family, we use a manual that divides scriptures into daily sections, so I don’t have to do any planning. I let the conversation happen naturally and ask age-appropriate questions to keep my kids engaged. The goal is to keep your thoughts short and sweet. Start everyone’s day with an intentional, positive message.

Most importantly, we take turns sharing what we are grateful for. Gratitude has a way of growing. When we start the day looking for the good, we tend to find more of it as the day goes on.

If mornings aren’t ideal, a bedtime discussion may be better—whatever works for your unique family, as long as it is at the same time every day. Consistency is key here.

If you are not a scripture-reading family, share something from a book that you love. It could be a book of poems or a thought-provoking leader like Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations (A Roman Emperor). He said things like, “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” That’s something I would want my kids to hear. We also like The Daily Laws by Robert Greene: a book of daily devotionals with 366 short lessons (only a page long).

If you have a blended family like us, you aren’t always together at the same time every day. This is the case for our teenagers. To accommodate their schedules, I send an uplifting quote, scripture, or story via text every weekday. I also tell them I love them and why I am grateful for them. It checks off all the boxes and keeps us connected. 

Family daily devotionals are a great way to share with your kids what you are reading/studying. Learning together builds connection. The primary purpose of this brief interaction is to convey an uplifting message and give your child something good to carry with them throughout the day. Fill their minds with good thoughts. I personally take this time to pray over my children. I want them to feel that my love is always with them.

Emily Ayars Smith