Part 3
“When the big things
feel out of control,
focus on what you love
right under your nose.”
Let’s focus for a moment on what we love right under our noses…
1. Breakfast and AWARENESS: How are you feeling today in your body and soul?
How have you woken up today? – annoyed to have to stay home again, feeling worried, sad or bored? Tell each other about how you’re feeling.
Try this: Let’s list all the things we love in our lives. Either write, draw or say them out loud. See how long your list can get!
Now: Crouch down on your feet and come up slowly, saying all the things on your love list, as you raise your arms up, higher and higher, stretch them up and then down to your middle as you stay standing tall. See – you are like a FOUNTAIN!
Full to overflowing with all the things you love in your life.
Repeat the exercise, and at the end thank God for all the good and love-ly things he fills you with.
2. Lunch and BIBLE THOUGHT: Genesis 1: 9-10 (The Jesus Storybook Bible)
What flows from a fountain? Yes that’s right– WATER!
Then God said, “Hello land!” and there – splashing up through the oceans – came cliffs, mountains, sandy beaches. ” You’re good,” said God and they were.
Oceans, seas, rivers, streams, springs….did you know that the earth is 71% water?
Earth has a lot of water. It’s one of the things that makes our big blue planet so special. Learn more about Earth’s water in this video!
Really and truly – water is a most amazing miracle!
Try this:
Make some ice cubes and add different colours of food dye to each. Or you could add little pieces of fruit, like blueberries. Once frozen, add them to a glass of water and watch your coloured ice cube melt (try warm water to see the cube melt faster, as cold water isn’t good for our throats right now).
As you take sips of your drink, think of the miracle of water and how it gives life. Between sips, take turns to thank God for all the ways water does that, and for all the ways water is present around us on Earth.
Also remember those who do not have running water in their homes. Pray for those people and the charities who are working hard to bring water to them. Think about giving some money to one of those charities. Talk about what you could do to help.
3. Dinner and DAY’S REFLECTION:
1. What has been good and LOVE-ly today?
2. What was hard today? And how did you feel about that?
3. Try this:
Write how your day went on strips of paper, and then put (glue, staple) the strips together to make a chain. Thank God for your day today.
Hold the chain at either end and make waves, or movements like a river.
Why not gently sing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6085sLXCMs
4. Now it’s time to go to bed, imagine you are lying next to a river: can you hear the sound the water is making, and the wind and the birds calling out to each other as they say goodnight?
As your child is settling down to sleep, pray a blessing over them:
‘God bless you and keep you safe.
May God shine his face onto yours,
giving you his love and peace.’
Parents’/ Guardians’ Page
Just Another Idea:
On your schedule you could use a different colour of post-it notes to indicate something NEW achieved. Many people have been talking about trying out new things during this prolonged time spent at home. Or you could give rewards. (I know someone who wants to learn to knit socks! I have a piano which I have never learned to play….I guess this is the time!)
Mental Health Tips from people who’ve been there:
Check in with John as he discusses his difficult week, and gives some mental health tips from Partners in Health – those involved in previous pandemics.
We hope and pray that the world will not be the same, and that many will be turning to our God, for help, solace and answers.