This Summer, Go Deep
Our family values often drive our summer bucket list. We may value education, shared experiences, athletic and skill development. These are all great things, but the greater thing is “the living and enduring word of God” (1 Pet. 1:23).
Just as we prepare nutritious meals to sustain and grow our kids, we should also plan for their spiritual nourishment. By summer’s end, we want them taller and deeper, smarter and wiser. If they feast on the “solid food” of the word this summer, Lord willing, they’ll grow deeper in spiritual maturity (1 Cor. 3:2). Memorizing scripture on road trips, learning the “Fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22–23) on picnics, or honing in on one passage for our summer theme are all doable, yet depth producing.
“Depth” in the child-rearing years may seem elusive. But, mommas, take heart—depth and dishes are not mutually exclusive. See, spiritual depth isn’t about staying up on current events, engaging in drawn out discussions, or even being intellectual. Spiritual depth is about a faith that runs deep.
This summer, imagine if we added “go deeper” to the top of our summer bucket list and intentionally planned ways to guide our children toward a deeper walk with Christ. How might our families grow in spiritual depth this summer?
Deeper in Prayer
At the end of every family dinner, the voices of our preschool grandchildren unite in a familiar request: “Let’s wrestle!” But, there’s another form of wrestling we ache for them to learn—an ever-increasing practice of wrestling in prayer. Paul describes Epaphras as “always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills” (Col. 4:12, italics mine).
If we want our kids to be Epaphras pray-ers, always wrestling in prayer, summertime affords excellent “practice” opportunities. There are lots of ways we can lead our kids to grow deeper in prayer this summer. We might design our own family prayer calendar where we pray for pre-determined people or things each day or week. We can take prayer walks, praying out-loud together, thanking God for his creation, and praying for each other and our neighbors. We can walk around our church building on a summer night and pray for our church. Consider creating a summer prayer journal or chalkboard where both prayers and answers are recorded. Or, enjoy weekly family campfires where each person prays for the person on their left.
Deeper in Service
Authentic depth is not only inward, it also looks outward and points others to the love of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16–17 we’re reminded that “all Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (italics mine). Spiritual depth is a “so-that” depth. As our family grows deeper, so should our service.
Summertime can lend itself to an inward family focus as we strive to complete our bucket list. To maintain an outward and others-focused mindset, we might hold a family brainstorming session about ways to serve this summer, and—to tie spiritual growth together—we can pray for God to guide us to specific opportunities.
Consider making a meal or baking cookies for someone who had surgery, helping with yard work for someone who is elderly or widowed, creating cards or letters for someone who is home-bound or grieving, or checking with local organizations about service opportunities that are suitable for kids. Options abound for guiding our kids toward loving their neighbor with a “so-that” depth.[1]
Deeper in Love
As moms, we pour out love in overseeing our kids’ spiritual growth while simultaneously seeking to grow deeper ourselves. It’s encouraging to remember that we, too, have an overseer—Christ is the “Overseer of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:25). Moms oversee vacations, education, meals, finances, ever-changing wardrobes, playdates, screen time, and medical needs. But, Momma, take heart! You too have an overseer—not only an overseer of the events of your life, but of your very soul.
When we submerge ourselves in the depths of the One who oversees our soul, we will instinctively lead our children closer to the Overseer of their souls. For a short time, we can oversee multiple facets of our kids’ lives, and so we should. But, only God can oversee their souls. Mommas can rest easier in a restless world when we spend time with our Lord and are “able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love” for us and our children (Eph. 3:18).
Deep living requires intention, strategy, and patience. But, it’s worth employing every bit of our God-enabled, mom-creativity into guiding our children to a deeper walk with Christ. This summer and beyond, may our families transition to deeper waters where our faith grows and beckons others to join us.
[1] Matthew 19:19
