As Christian parents, we can’t remove every source of anxiety from our children’s lives. But we can help them build something stronger than fear: a deep trust in God that steadies them when life feels uncertain.

Start by Bringing Peace Into Your Own Home

Kupicoo

Kids are incredibly observant. They often take their emotional cues from the adults around them. If our homes are constantly rushed, stressed, and overwhelmed, our children will feel it.

That doesn’t mean we have to be perfect. It simply means creating spaces where peace is practiced. Maybe that’s praying together before school, sharing highs and lows around the dinner table, or simply turning off the noise for a few minutes each day.

Peace isn’t found in a perfect schedule. It’s found in the presence of God.

Teach Them That Feelings Aren’t Failures

Igor Suka

Sometimes well-meaning parents accidentally send the message that fear is something to be ashamed of.

But throughout Scripture, we see people who were afraid. David was afraid. Esther was afraid. The disciples were afraid. Feeling anxious doesn’t mean your child lacks faith. It means they’re human.

Instead of saying, “Don’t worry,” try saying:

• “Tell me what’s making you feel nervous.”
• “Let’s pray about it together.”
• “God is with you, even in this.”

When children learn that their feelings can be brought to God rather than hidden from Him, they begin developing healthy faith instead of performative faith.

Help Them Focus on What Is True

Daisy-Daisy

Anxiety often grows when our minds become consumed with “what if.”

What if I fail? What if nobody likes me? What if something bad happens?

God gently redirects us toward truth instead of fear.

When your child is struggling, help them ask:

• What do I know is true right now?
• What has God done for me before?
• What does God say about me?

Over time, these small conversations help train their minds to look for truth instead of assuming the worst.

Make Prayer a First Response, Not a Last Resort

Wierzchu

Many of us learned to pray after we had exhausted every other option.

What if we taught our children something different?

When a friendship problem arises, pray. When they have a test, pray. When they’re worried about a game, pray. When they don’t know what to do, pray.

Prayer doesn’t remove problems from our kids’ lives. What it does do though is turn their focus heavenward and remind them that they don’t face their problems alone.

Limit the Noise

Not every child needs to know every headline, controversy, or crisis happening in the world.

While it’s important to stay informed, constant exposure to distressing news and social media can leave children feeling powerless and afraid.

As parents, we can help filter what enters our homes and our children’s hearts. More importantly, we can fill those spaces with things that build faith, joy, gratitude, and hope.

There are some great podcasts that help support you and are also a positive influence on your kiddos. Try God on the Go and That’s a Doozy!

If you’re wrestling with the amount of screen time and gaming that’s happening in your home, we highly recommend Gospel Tech. Nathan Sutherland’s goal is to equip parents with the tools, resources, and confidence needed to raise kids who love God and use tech.

Remind Them Who Holds the Future

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the reminder that God is still God.

The future may seem uncertain to us, but it isn’t uncertain to Him.

When kids know their security comes from God’s unchanging character rather than changing circumstances, they develop a foundation that can withstand life’s storms.

If you’re worried about your child’s anxiety, take heart. You don’t have to have all the answers. Life can be hard and our job is to help equip them to face challenges while pointing them toward the One who walks with them through every fear.

Little by little, prayer by prayer, conversation by conversation, you’re helping your child discover that peace isn’t the absence of problems. It’s the presence of God in the middle of them.

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Right now, as I type this, I have two friends I’m thinking of who I want to tangibly show up for this week.

Because lets face it, a “let me know if you need anything” text may be well intentioned, but it actually ends up putting all the work on them to figure out what they need and ask for it, which most people won’t do.

Specific offers are much easier to say yes to. I have been talking about this on air and compiling a creative list (feel free to add to it!) to spur us on to loving our neighbor (and sister, and friend, and coworker) well!

My friend Angie is excellent at this… its her Superpower. She can craft the most thoughtful, witty and practical text of love and tangible support on the planet, so I’m going to use her style as an example!

Sample text ideas:

Get specific. Offer something that already works with your schedule.

• “I’m doing a Target run Thursday. Text me your kids back to school list – or better yet, I can take them with me!”
• “I’m coming by Saturday to take your trash cans out and grab your mail. Don’t need to talk, I’ll just do it.”
• “I need to get my steps in today! Want me to walk the dog this week? I can do 7am or 6pm, whichever’s easier.”

Give a narrow window instead of open-ended time

• “I have Tuesday 2-4pm totally free. Want me to sit with you, drive you somewhere, or just be on standby?”
• “I’m free all day Sunday. Can I take a shift — kids, laundry, dishes, whatever’s piling up?”

Offer something logistical people forget to ask for

• “Do you want me to handle telling people, so you’re not repeating the story over and over?”
• “Want me to sit in on the follow-up appointment and take notes? Extra ears are useful for that stuff.”
• “I can pick up your prescriptions today… just tell me the pharmacy.”

For grief specifically, offer presence without pressure

• “I’m not going to ask how you’re doing. I’m just going to come sit with you Wednesday if that’s okay — no talking required.”
• “I’ll come mow the lawn / walk the dog / do a grocery run this week, no need to reply, I’ll just show up unless you tell me not to.”
• “Thinking about you today. I’m around all evening if you want company or silence.”

When they’re overwhelmed and can’t even triage

• “Text me one thing that’s stressing you out right now, even something small — I’ll take it off your plate.”
• “I know decision-making feels impossible right now. I’m going to pick a day to come clean/organize/whatever — Thursday work?”

The common thread: propose something concrete, give them an easy yes/no or multiple choice, and make it low-effort for them to accept — not “what do you need,” which is its own homework assignment.

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled with all the precious and pleasant riches. -Proverbs 24:3-4

Ah, August. All the fall things are starting to make their appearance even though we aren’t quite there yet, summer clearance sales are in full swing, and back-to-school prep has likely begun to flash through your mind! Whether you’re dreading the summer season coming to an end or happily anticipating your family’s new autumn routine, September will be here before we know it. Moms have an extra full plate this time of year as we prepare for the kids moving up a grade, new schools, new sports schedules, and all the fall activities that come cascading down on us like leaves from the trees in October!

If we aren’t careful, the pressure can add up and moms can quickly be left feeling discouraged, drained, and maybe even a little bitter as we try to keep everything running. It’s hard to pour out all the nurturing, love, and support our families need when we are depleted and knocked down by the day-to-day responsibilities.

So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. -Romans 14:19

This year, I’ve got one child in high school, one in junior high, one in elementary school, and one doing pre-k at home with me. It’s a lot to manage, but there are some things I’ve learned over the years that hands-down help our school days run much more smoothly. That doesn’t mean we don’t have bad days like everyone else, but it does mean that when I feel less scattered, our whole household does, too.

So, what are some of the ways we can lighten the load even when we can’t really lessen our responsibilities?

It starts with something we’re all familiar with, particularly at Christmastime. We talk about preparing Him room in December, and hopefully that’s something we’re all striving to do throughout the year, but what if we intentionally applied that as moms to the start of the school year, too? Think about what life is like for your family once September rolls around, what your schedule is like, your day-to-day routine, and when do you have a moment to yourself to connect with God?

I know it can feel daunting in this very busy, hands-on season of motherhood to schedule time for your Bible or even a short devotional, when from sunup to sundown you’re running from place to place, serving the meals, packing the lunches, finding the jackets and the missing shoes. The great news is, to prepare Him room, we don’t have to have a formal quiet time. Often, the times I talk to Jesus the most are in the middle of the busyness… while praise music plays in the car, while I’m doing the dishes, watering the garden, or folding the laundry. Maybe for you that’s the drive to work or while you’re nursing the baby at 3am.

Staticnak1983

I love to wake up early and take in a daily devotional or to meditate on a certain verse when I go to bed at night, but it doesn’t always happen that way. So, as you think forward to this school year, start with finding a few practical, realistic ways that you’ll be able to connect with Jesus each day. He is there for us while we are there for everyone else. If you can, write down a few of your favorite verses and inspirational quotes so you can draw from them throughout your week and be encouraged!

My children have made it nearly impossible for me to sleep past 5:30am for the last fifteen years. I’m an early riser, too, but it’s different when everyone needs you before your eyes are even open. When my fourth son was around 18 months old, I couldn’t take the morning chaos anymore! Trying to get myself ready while his brothers kept an eye on him became unrealistic. Since my husband leaves for work so early, it was up to me to find a way for us to function better each morning.

There was too much fighting, too much discussion, and too much stress. Being in such a rush is not a fun way to start the day and I’m sure almost every mom out there can relate! Even though my youngest was still waking throughout the night and every minute of sleep was precious to me, I decided to start setting an alarm for 5am. It was the best chance I had to shower, pour a cup of coffee, and maybe even read the bible before everyone else woke up. Although it doesn’t always work out perfectly, it has been life changing! Having that moment to wrap my head around our day and to be ready when everyone comes pouring out of their rooms at the crack of dawn has become a huge improvement to my routine and I wish I had done it a long time ago. Even little changes can make a big difference in how we approach the day ahead!

Aside from prioritizing time with Jesus and getting a head start on our days this fall, here are some other helpful habits I’ve acquired over the years that truly help our days run more smoothly:

Survival Guide:

Meal Prep!

Hopefully that idea doesn’t fill you with panic, but if it does, I would say to start small. If you’re not used to meal planning, start with one or two REALISTIC recipes to plan throughout the week. Even if it’s grilled cheese and some fruit, knowing what dinner is going to be on a crazy weekday can relieve a lot of pressure for moms. Each Sunday, I make sure I have a general idea of at least 3-4 meals that will fit with our schedule that week. I get a grocery list going with all the ingredients I’ll need and make a menu list on the fridge to stay organized. My kids love checking it to see what’s for dinner!

Have your family on the same page when it comes to screen-time!

Deciding on what you want these boundaries to look like for your family before the rush of the school year will be a huge relief and can save you from lots of nagging and debating if you have school-aged children. Maybe think back to last year and what went well and what didn’t when it came to your family’s screen-time habits. For us, having no video games on weeknights helps things go more smoothly. We also leave all phones, remotes, controllers, and school laptops in the open or put them away in our room when they’re not being used. Your kids might not be a big fan of that one, especially teens, but having those boundaries is so important in a day and age when the world has so much access to them.

Pick out your clothes the night before.

A lot of moms have their kids do this but it’s just as helpful for moms! I might stay at home with my kids and mostly wear jeans and t-shirts, but having my clothes ready to go when I jump up to shower is a lot better than staring groggily into my closet trying to remember what the weather was supposed to be that day. It feels so refreshing to start the day ready-to-go as opposed to being stuck in my pajamas until everyone else is ready.

Eat breakfast!

I’ve met so many moms who say they don’t eat breakfast. I get it, you might not feel very hungry that early in the morning. Just like we know how important it is for our kids to have fuel for the day, we need it too! It doesn’t have to be a lot, but I guarantee that you will feel better if you have something in your stomach as you hit the ground running. Some Greek yogurt with granola and fruit or just some oatmeal to go with your coffee are great places to start!

Get to bed at a decent time!

I know, this one is tough. It might mean staying up after the kids go to bed to read or watch your favorite shows on weeknights isn’t a realistic option for the season you’re in. Think about how many hours of sleep you’re really getting each night and if there’s a way to make some changes this fall so you can feel healthier and happier. That’s not always an option, especially if you have older kids in weeknight sports, but even if you can get in bed earlier a few nights a week it will make a world of difference. Set a small goal and see how you feel!

When life gets busy this fall, as it inevitably will, just remember that God is our safe place to land. We lean on him just as our kids and families lean on us. Be that safe place to land for your kids as they come home exhausted from having taken in so much from their surroundings that day. They sat still, stayed quiet in class when they were supposed to, dealt with other kids sometimes not respecting boundaries, a difficult teacher, or a stressful assignment. We have long days as moms, yes. But, so do they! They need to be able to trust that we will be able to comfort them, encourage them, and welcome them home. Making small changes to our routines so we have more to give is a great place to start!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. –2 Corinthians 1:3-4

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Summer is coming to a close, but there is still enough time to do some of those things that make summer memorable to a kid.  You know, making camp crafts, spending time outside, etc.  Summer is such a great time to put screens away and bask in God’s creation.

Psalm 96:11-12 – “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”

On a recent day, two of my grandkids came over and we decided to engage in some easy and fun summer crafts.  Here’s what we did:

NATURE HUNT

You’ll need: an empty egg carton, pens and paper, and a list (if desired).

First, my grandson made a Nature Hunt sign and drew some pictures of nature.  Cut the paper to the size of the top of an egg carton before you start drawing.

Ann Kirsten

Then, you can either make a list of what the kids need to find or you can just let them grab whatever catches their fancy.  List items might include: a leaf, some bark or wood, a rock, a feather, grass, flowers, dirt, seed pods, and a weed.  You can easily adjust your list according to what you have in your yard.

Ann Kirsten

Then, just send your kids out with their egg cartons and see what they find!  Of course take pictures and send them to grandma and grandpa.

Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.“

COLOR HUNT

You’ll need: an empty egg carton, paint and brushes.

Paint the cups of the egg carton in different colors.  We used these colors:

Ann Kirsten

Send the kids out to find things that match the colors.  They can ask known neighbors for help.  Easy and fun.

Ann Kirsten

Psalm 8:3-4 – “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them?”

NATURE WEAVING

You’ll need: four sticks for each loom, string or twine or yarn, a glue gun is helpful, and miscellaneous plants and flowers.

I found it easier to glue the sticks together in a square or rectangular shape before I tied the corners with twine.

Ann Kirsten

Then create the “warp” (the strings that go up and down).  You can use my picture for an idea of how to do it or just wrap it your own way.

Ann Kirsten

Then simply go outside and find things to weave in and out of your warp.  Don’t overthink this step, just use whatever catches your fancy.  Cut twigs as long as you can but if they don’t reach all the way across just tuck the end in back and start where you left off.

We wove greenery in first.

Ann Kirsten

We added flowers last because their stems don’t have to be so long.  You can just take a few weaves to add them in.

Tie a string at the top and you have a nature wall or door hanging!

Psalm 139:13-16 – “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb… my frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.” 

Looking for more ideas?

Emma Long made this lovely wall hanging.  Even with the flowers drying, it still looks so pretty.

Picture courtesy of Emma Long

Last year, My grands and I made “wind sticks”.  They still hold a place of honor in a pitcher on top of my bookcase.
Find out how here: Wind Sticks & Whispers of God

Ann Kirsten

Or this is the perfect time to make Mosquito Repellant Sticks.
Find out how here: Sage Sticks: An All-Natural DIY Mosquito Repellent

Ann Kirsten

To finish your craft day, why not have lunch outside on a blanket?  It can be as easy as take-out or you could create your favorite picnic items.

Skynesher

As you head outside to take in God’s creation, remember:

Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

Happy last days of summer!

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It wasn’t a season of shopping. It wasn’t multiple Target runs, Amazon deliveries arriving every few days, or endless “must-have” lists filling my inbox. It was one big outing. We would get everything we needed for the school year in one trip: clothes, shoes, school supplies, a backpack, and a lunchbox. I remember getting two new pairs of shoes, a new winter coat, one pair of jeans, a handful of basic shirts, and a few other essentials. That was it. Somehow, those things carried us through the entire school year.

We mixed and matched what we had, rewore our favorite outfits, and never thought much about whether we had enough. Looking back, I don’t remember wishing I had more clothes. I remember being excited to see my friends, meet my teacher, and find out what adventures the new school year would bring.

Now that I’m a parent, back-to-school shopping feels a little different.

The moment August arrives, every store, email, and social media post seems to tell us that our kids need an entirely new wardrobe before they even step foot into the classroom. Add in influencer shopping hauls, endless supply lists, and the pressure to buy everything while it’s on sale, and what should feel like an exciting milestone can quickly become another overwhelming item on the parenting to-do list.

I love being organized, so my instinct is to want to have everything checked off before that first day of school. But over these past couple of years I’ve realized that being prepared doesn’t necessarily mean buying everything at once. In fact, slowing down has actually made the process less stressful. Instead of trying to create the perfect “back-to-school haul,” I’ve found that focusing on what my daughter truly needs—and making the shopping experience something we enjoy together—has made all the difference.

Here are a few things that have helped make back-to-school shopping feel a little lighter for our family.

1. Start by trying on everything they already own.

Before buying a single thing, pull every pair of pants, every sweatshirt, every jacket, and every pair of shoes out of the closet.

Yes, it sounds like a lot of work.

But you’d be surprised how many clothes still fit…and how many suddenly don’t.

Kids have a magical ability to grow overnight. One day their shoes fit perfectly, and the next morning it looks like they’re trying to squeeze into toddler sizes.

Instead of making it a chore, make it fun.

Turn on music and host a fashion show. See how quickly they can change outfits. Let younger kids strike silly runway poses after every outfit. Time them to see if they can beat their “quick change” record.

You’ll quickly create three piles:

• Fits
• Doesn’t fit.
• Maybe…but probably not for much longer.

Now you’re shopping from what they actually need instead of guessing.

2. Don’t feel like you have to buy everything in August.

This one has been freeing for me.

Every August, stores are filled with sweaters, boots, jackets, and long sleeve shirts.

Meanwhile…

It’s still 90 degrees outside.

The first few weeks of school often feel more like summer than fall, especially here in the Pacific Northwest. Our kids are still wearing shorts, T-shirts, and sandals while pumpkin displays are somehow already everywhere.

So why rush to buy winter clothes that won’t be worn for another two months?

By waiting, you’ll often find better selections later in the season, and you’ll have a much better idea of what your child actually needs after those first weeks of school.

3. Buy what they need now—and wait on the rest.

There are a few things that really are essential.

A backpack.

A lunchbox.

The classroom supplies.

Maybe a new pair of shoes because, once again, somehow their feet grew while they were sleeping.

Start there.

Once school begins, you’ll quickly discover what gaps actually exist.

Maybe your child suddenly needs another pair of athletic pants because of PE.

Maybe they realize everyone wears hoodies at recess.

Maybe they don’t actually need half the things you thought they would.

Waiting takes away so much of the guesswork.

Instead of buying “just in case,” you’re buying based on real needs.

And that usually means buying less.

4. Don’t overlook thrift stores, resale sites, and garage sales.

One of the wonderful things about kids growing so quickly is that they don’t usually wear clothes long enough to wear them out.

Which means there are some amazing secondhand finds out there.

I’ve found fantastic jackets, nearly brand-new shoes, and clothes that still had plenty of life left in them—all for a fraction of retail prices.

Late summer garage sales can be especially great because families are cleaning out closets before school starts.

Resale sites and local marketplace groups can also be gold mines for backpacks, coats, sports gear, and name-brand clothes that were barely worn before another growth spurt happened.

Kids don’t care nearly as much as we think they do.

They’re mostly excited about seeing friends again and finding their classroom.

5. Don’t let shopping hauls define what “prepared” looks like.

This one might be the hardest.

Open social media in August and you’ll probably see family after family sharing massive shopping hauls.

New outfits.

Matching shoes.

Perfectly coordinated accessories.

Closets full of brand-new clothes.

It’s fun to watch. But it can quietly convince us that our kids need an entirely new wardrobe every school year.

So this year, I’m giving myself permission to slow down. We’ll still make our shopping trip special. We’ll probably stop for a treat, laugh our way through fitting rooms, and marvel at how my daughter somehow managed to grow another shoe size over the summer. But more than anything, I want our shopping trip to build excitement for everything that’s ahead.

I want it to be a chance for us to dream about the new school year together—to talk about the friends she’ll see again, the teacher she’ll get to know, the things she’ll learn, and all the little adventures waiting for her over the coming months. Those conversations matter so much more than whether we found the perfect outfit.

Years from now, I don’t think either of us will remember exactly what ended up in the shopping bags. But I hope she’ll remember how exciting it felt to prepare for a brand-new school year together and how, long before she ever walked through those school doors, we were already celebrating all the possibilities waiting on the other side.

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> Trigger Warning: It’s Not Too Early For Christmas Displays!

I made some good points in it and I felt confident in my viewpoint.

Well, I am starting to change my mind or at least look at things from the other side.  Oh, my heart still quickens with joy when I see Christmas items start popping up and I don’t think I’ll ever change in that regard.  Christmas fills my heart with joy and I love any reminder of it.

But I’ve noticed a trend lately to speed life up and it’s a bit scary.

Recently, I was scrolling through Instagram and there were suddenly lots of Fall and Halloween pictures.  It’s summer!  Why would I be interested in pumpkins and acorns and other Autumn things?  Yet my feed was loaded with homes already decorated in fall splendor.

The influencers have even coined a name for this phenomenon: Augtober!  Apparently, it officially started on August 1^st and it means moving on to fall way too early!

I love Fall, don’t get me wrong.  I love the cooler weather, the colors, and the coziness of it all.  But skipping through the beautiful things of summer to get there faster just seems ridiculous.  By the time Autumn actually arrives the things that make it special will seem outdated and stale.

I have accepted that Summer is a time of setting up back-to-school displays too early (that used to drive my son crazy).  But it should also be a time of pool floaties and squirt gun displays, not pumpkins and fuzzy throws.

I worked retail for many years so I am not ignorant of the need to set things up early.  I also understand that the stores themselves did not make the decision to cram the next holiday’s merchandise out before the last holiday is even over (so don’t yell at the poor associates).  But it seems like it’s gotten completely out of control and things are being thrown at us faster and faster.

I saw a meme from Scott D. Clary that said:

That hit home with me.  Especially in the USA we have lost the importance of rest and just stopping for a while.

So, is this way of life new?

There is a word in the Bible that shows us it is not;

Selah.

This Hebrew word is meant as an intentional pause in the reading.  Even in our Bible reading we tend to rush from one verse to the next.  Selah is a reminder to pause, pause to think, to let the truth wash over us, to pray, to praise, to learn.

One definition of Selah is: “An invitation to reflect.”  Isn’t that lovely?  An invitation to reflect.  We all need that in our lives.  Instead of rushing from one thing to another, or one season to another, what if we accepted an invitation to pause and reflect.  Think of the beautiful things we could learn and feel.  Think of the peace that would wash over us.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a Selah button in life?  When my granddaughter was little her thoughts zoomed through her head faster than she could process or articulate them.  She would say, “Pause!”  And then she would stop long enough to catch up with what she was thinking about.  I don’t know where she came up with that but it was a brilliant way for her to process all the information in her brain.

Selah is found 74 times in the Bible (mostly in Psalms).  Psalms contains so much wisdom and it is a wonderful reminder to stop and let the words sink in.  It turns out that even our ancestors needed that reminder.

m-gucci

Knowing what Selah means will cause me to read scripture in a new way.  But where else can I implement it in life?  God has blessed me in so many ways.  Do I ever pause long enough to really soak that in or do I simply rush off to the next thing?  Do I really need to decorate my house for Fall before the summer is over?  Or can I just be content with sitting in the “now”?

Social media pushes us to zoom off to the next thing, the next holiday, the newest fashion item, or the latest food craze.  People make money by creating a frenzy of “I need” or “I want”.  But now I have a word when I feel frenzied.  Selah.  It will remind me to sit right where I am and be thankful.

There will be no Augtober for me.  I will relax and enjoy these last sleepy days of summer before I move on.

So the next time you are feeling guilty about what you’re NOT doing, remind yourself that it’s also important to pause and reflect.  After all, it’s written right in the Bible.  Seventy-four times.

“Be still and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10

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The bright blue skies of summer gave way to towering plumes of smoke that stretched across the horizon. Wildfires burned through thousands of acres surrounding our community, leaving thousands of families displaced and uncertain of what would come next. The smell of smoke lingered in the air, helicopters circled overhead, and emergency alerts buzzed across our phones. It was one of those moments where life suddenly feels a little more fragile than it did the day before.

Like many families, we found ourselves standing outside, looking toward the smoke. It’s strange how something can feel both far away and incredibly close at the same time. Our neighborhood was calm. Birds still chirped from the trees, sprinklers watered freshly cut grass, and a few kids rode bikes down the street as if nothing had changed. Yet just beyond the hills, families were packing up treasured belongings, saying goodbye to homes they weren’t sure they would see again.

Standing beside me was Penny.

She stared at the sky for a long moment before turning to me with the first of many questions.

“Mama, is the fire coming here?”

“What if it reaches our house?”

“What if people lose everything they own?”

“Would we have to leave?”

“And…what happens to all the animals?”

I smiled at that last question because, of course, Penny would be thinking about the animals. She has always had the kind of heart that worries about everyone else before herself.

As she waited for my answers, I realized I was carrying two different responsibilities. One was to tell her the truth. The other was to protect her heart. Those two things don’t always feel like they fit together.

I wanted to be honest without overwhelming her. I wanted her to understand what was happening without carrying fears that weren’t hers to hold. So instead of walking her through every possible scenario or explaining every alarming update I’d read that morning, I gently brought her back to what was true.

“Right now, we’re safe.”

“The firefighters are working so hard.”

“If anything changes, we’ll know what to do.”

“And no matter what happens, Mama will always take care of you.”

That last sentence wasn’t a promise that nothing bad would ever happen. It was a promise that she would never have to face it alone.

As parents, I think we spend much of our lives doing exactly that. We quietly carry information our children don’t need yet. We filter what they hear, not because we want to deceive them, but because we love them. We don’t tell them every frightening possibility before a doctor’s appointment. We don’t list every danger before a family road trip. We don’t explain every heartbreaking headline they are too young to process.

Instead, we help them focus on today.

Today we are together.

Today we are safe.

Today we have everything we need.

Tomorrow will come soon enough.

The older I get, the more I realize how often God parents me in exactly the same way.

There are so many questions I wish He would answer. I would love to know how every difficult season ends before it begins. I’d happily accept a five-year plan with color-coded tabs and a few reassuring footnotes. Instead, God usually gives me just enough light for the next step.

Not because He’s withholding good from me, but because He knows what my heart can carry.

As I looked at Penny that afternoon, I realized there were details I intentionally chose not to share. Not because they weren’t true, but because they weren’t helpful. They would have only invited fear into a heart that was already trying to make sense of something scary.

It made me wonder how many things God lovingly shields me from every single day.

How many disasters He prevents that I never hear about.

How many prayers He answers behind the scenes before I ever know to pray them.

How many details He keeps tucked safely in His hands because He knows I would spend all my energy worrying about tomorrow instead of living faithfully today.

Joanna Gott

Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 suddenly felt less like instruction and more like the gentle voice of a loving Father: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

When I read that verse before becoming a mom, I mostly heard it as a command.

Now I hear it as comfort.

It’s almost as if God is saying, You don’t have to carry tomorrow because I’m already there.

Peter echoes the same invitation when he writes, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Not because He merely tolerates us.

Not because He’s checking a heavenly box.

Because He cares.

Because we are His children.

That afternoon, Penny eventually stopped asking questions. She wandered off to collect a handful of rocks, somehow deciding they were exactly what her stuffed animals needed. Children have a beautiful ability to return to joy once they know they’re safe. Meanwhile, I stood there thinking about evacuation maps, weather forecasts, and wind speeds.

Maybe that’s why Jesus tells us to have faith like a child.

Children trust the people who love them.

They don’t need every answer because they believe someone bigger is paying attention.

As I tucked Penny into bed that evening, the fires were still burning. The smoke hadn’t disappeared, and many families were still facing unimaginable loss. We prayed for the firefighters, for those who had been evacuated, and for rain. Then she hugged me, rolled over, and fell asleep within minutes.

I watched her for a little while before quietly leaving the room, and I couldn’t help but smile.

She slept peacefully because she trusted the One watching over her.

What a picture of the Gospel.

The truth is, none of us know what tomorrow holds. Fires come. Storms arrive. Diagnoses change everything. Plans unravel. We cannot promise our children—or ourselves—that life will always feel safe.

But we can point them to the One who never changes.

The God who watches over us never slumbers. The Father who holds tomorrow also holds us today. And just as I long for Penny to bring every fear to me instead of carrying it alone, our Heavenly Father invites us to place every worry into His hands.

Maybe that’s what courage looks like after all.

Not pretending the smoke isn’t there.

Not denying that hard things happen.

But choosing, one day at a time, to rest in the care of our Father, trusting that while we cannot see what tomorrow holds, the One who holds tomorrow has never once taken His eyes off His children.

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What do you do when you feel like you are losing your resolve to do what God instructs you to do, to follow Jesus no matter what? How do you strengthen your resolve to push on especially when you are going against the current. How do you navigate that season when it seems like even your very flesh is striving against you?

For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. Romans 7:15

Romans 7:15 shows, even from the experience of such a seasoned man of God, the very person who wrote majority of the New Testament: Paul, that it is impossible to achieve righteousness apart from Jesus. Every effort on our human part eventually ends in frustration as even when we want to do what is right, we do not. We end up doing what is wrong and what we hate to do because of the sin nature. That is why Jesus said to His disciples: Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak. Matthew 26:41.

We need help from the Holy Spirit if we are going to do what is right in the sight of God.

What started off as a dilemma for Paul in Romans 7 ends with divine revelation in Romans 8. Paul discovered the key to successfully living according to the will of God, even on this sinful earth: the Holy Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.  But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. Romans 8:5-10.  

Jesus Christ living in us makes our spirits alive to righteousness and dead to sin! What a comforting truth! Indeed, we need Jesus every step of the way because apart from Him we can do nothing.

I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. John 15:5

You have had it been said that we ought to live our lives according to the Bible’s teaching rather than the culturally acceptable practices of the day. But whatsoever that look like practically? What strategies can you employ in the daily rhythms of your life and family to effectively do this?

We must have faith that God’s Word is true, trust in His promises to us and allow to be led by the Holy Spirit daily.

It’s not easy living whole-heartedly for Jesus in a culture that is increasingly hostile to Him is hard. Jesus warned us about this already, but He did not leave us helpless or hopeless. He sent us the most powerful and effective Helper anyone could ever ask for, the Holy Spirit. Jesus also encourages us to take heart; He has overcome the world. Not will or is going to but has already overcome. We are fighting from a place of Victory!

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] John 16:33.

God has set us up to succeed! He has put things in place to help us. One of the biggest advantages we have is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, as He was leaving this earth, assured us that it is good for Him to go, so He can send us exactly what we need: our Helper, the One who will help us succeed even when it seems like the odds are stacked against us. The Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that powerfully rose Jesus from the dead will give us the power to live righteously in this fallen world. Hallelujah!

But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. John 16:7, 13.

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When they storm rages, be still and KNOW that He is God. When the storm rages, the natural reaction tends to be panic, stress, despair and sorrow. It is quite hard when you are in the thick of chaos to make yourself still.

So how do we build strong faith in order to stand when those tough seasons come? For starters, that faith must be built before the tough seasons come. You do not wait for the trials and tribulations to start building faith. That is instead the time when you tap into the reserves.

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8.

Like the writer of the Proverbs says, look at the ant, who stores up food in harvest for the time of scarcity. That is the same with our faith. We build it up daily, during the ordinary mundane I dare say boring seasons and also when all is going well.

The last few weeks have been trial by fire! It has truly been a time of proofing for our family. It is all well and dandy to profess God’s Word and promises when life is going well, but when the rubber meets the road, we see what we are really made of.

If you faint in the day of adversity, how small/weak is your faith. Proverbs 24:10

That is the verse that God gave me when I asked Him for encouragement. I was taken aback honestly. I expected Him to say something more soothing and encouraging in the way I wanted encouragement. Something more like I will take away all your trials and never ever let you go through hard times. Yes, I know that is not Biblical, but that is what I wanted to hear. God in His wisdom told me what I needed and not wanted to hear. He told me the truth. Which got me asking, is my faith strong or weak? Do I believe God and His word no matter what? Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17. If you find yourself asking if your faith is strong or how to build your faith, the answer is read God’s word over and over, consistently and diligently. Store up His word as a treasure in your heart and ask for the grace to live by it. That is how faith comes. And faith grows by exercising it. Choosing to believe God’s word over your circumstances and seeing it work grows your faith.

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6.

I have never been a big fan of this verse. I would rather other people encouraged me. God saw that I needed to grow in this area and gave me the “opportunity.” Oh my! This is what Paul must have been talking about moving from milk to meat/solid food.

Concerning this we have much to say which is hard to explain, since you have become dull in your [spiritual] hearing and sluggish [even slothful in achieving spiritual insight]. For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God’s Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food. For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]! But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law. Hebrews 5:11-14.

Here’s a newsflash! In case you did not know it, the Christian walk requires work!

Continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. Philippians 2:12.

The Christian walk is not passive. Spiritual growth to a level where you can encourage yourself in the Lord does not just happen by chance. It is the result of consistent, diligent time in prayer, in worship, in Bible reading and in Bible following. It is a result of work. God still requires obedience. The good news is that when we do our part of yielding unto the Lord, He does what only He can do.

Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]… Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose]. James 4:8,10

There is no situation too hard for God. Go to God in prayer, He is to God of impossibilities. Indeed, God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in times of trouble. He rescues us from the fowler’s snare and declares: touch not my anointed. Do my prophet no hard!  We have tasted and seen, time and time again that this God can be trusted.

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“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-8

“Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer.” Proverbs 30:24-25

In scripture, ants are used as an example of diligence and hard work.  They do not use their tiny size as an excuse; they simply get their work done.  They prepare ahead of time and thus are ready for whatever is to come.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23

Looking to ants as an example is a great idea during these lazy days of summer.

One of the first times I realized how amazing ants are happened when I was on vacation in California.  I was in a room on the second floor of a hotel.  I had chicken for dinner and left the bones in the garbage can.  In the morning there was a line of ants from the ground, up two floors, in the window and to the garbage can!  Hundreds and hundreds of tiny ants were all in a line.  It was an amazing example of the lengths they go through to gather food.

Ants are worth studying.  They are a complex species.  A simple search will give you hundreds of ant facts to learn.  Here are a few to get your kids started.

ANT FACTS:

• There are over 12,000 ant species in the world.
• Some queen ants live more than 30 years.
• A single ant can carry over 50 times its own body weight.
• Ants live on every continent except ANTarctica (get it?).
• Ants live in colonies.  They have one or more queens and female ants tend to the queen, the eggs, and the colony.  Male ants have wings and only breed.
• Ants have six legs and run fast.
• They leave scent trails to communicate with other ants.
• Ants love sweet foods.
• Ants do not have ears but feel vibrations instead.
• Ant’s bodies have three sections: the head, the thorax and the abdomen.  Add six legs and antennas and you have an ant.  Once you know their basic anatomy you can create all kinds of ants out of all kinds of things.

Ann Kirsten

On a recent hot day, I put my granddaughter to work and she made these ant crafts.  There is nothing like a craft to bring a lesson home.

ANT ROCKS

You’ll need: rocks and black paint or pens, brushes, and white paint if desired.  Paint ants onto rocks (using the basic anatomy guide above as an example).  Hide them in your garden.

Ann Kirsten

WATERMELON PAINTING

You’ll need: paper and paint or markers.  Paint a big slice of watermelon on your paper.  Use your pinky finger dipped in black paint to make a line of three circles for the ant’s body.  Add legs and antenna with a pen.  Remember that ants love sweet foods and watermelon is sweet!

Ann Kirsten

ANT TUNNELS

You’ll need paper, a sponge, paint and glue.  Crumple a piece of paper (we used brown packing paper).  Lightly sponge brown paint onto the crumpled paper.  Let it dry and rip it into pieces. Glue the pieces onto a plain piece of paper, leaving spaces for “tunnels”.  Draw or paint ants in the tunnels.  Add grass and flowers onto the top.

Ann Kirsten

EGG CARTON ANTS

You’ll need an egg carton, paint and brushes, a skewer or hole punch, wiggle eyes (you can use paint instead) and pipe cleaners.  Cut three sections of an egg carton and paint it black.  Let it dry.  Glue on your eyes or paint them on.  Poke holes and stick in pipe cleaner legs and antennas.

Ann Kirsten

ANTS ON A LOG

This has been a favorite snack for generations.   You’ll need: celery sticks, peanut butter or cream cheese, raisins or chocolate chips.  Spread your peanut butter or cream cheese onto a celery stick and sprinkle on raisins or chocolate chips.  Yum!

Ann Kirsten

ANT EXPERIMENT

Put something sweet on the ground where you have seen ants.  See how long it takes them to find it and how many of their friends show up.

ANTS IN YOUR PANTS

This will crack your kids up!  Draw a simple pair of pants and add ants.  Draw them, paint them or stamp them.  Tell your kids that because ants are always moving, the saying, “ants in your pants” refers to wiggly people.

Ann Kirsten

ANT CUPCAKES

Bake or buy your favorite cupcakes.  Frost them with green frosting.  Use any round candies to make the ant bodies such as Whoppers, Junior Mints, or brown M&M’s.  Use black licorice or chocolate jimmies to make the legs and antennas.  Add candy eyes with a bit of frosting.

Ann Kirsten

To finish off your ant study, this stuffed ant on Amazon is so cute!  Just do a search for “stuffed ant” and you will find it in lots of colors.

Or how about ant toothpicks?  Your kids will love to fake out family members with these food-carrying picks (Amazon).

So, there you have it.  An ant study for those lazy summer days.  Isn’t it amazing how much we have to learn from the Bible?  There is always something new to find in the pages.

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  1 Timothy 5:8

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One day I’ll be thankful that my kid is strong willed but that will not be today, not in this grocery store.-Unknown

Does your child fight nearly everything you do and say? Bath time, naptime, mealtime, and all the times in-between? Is your patience constantly being tested and you feel like you’re always trying to figure out a more effective way to parent your little one? Oh boy, can I relate!

My four-year-old officially stopped napping this summer. Not because he was ready to move on from them, but because he knows his big brothers are home from school. When I asked why he wasn’t sleeping for the millionth time, he matter-of-factly informed me that he wouldn’t be able to nap while they were home. I tried explaining why naps were good and helped his brain and body calm down, I tried telling him that he had to sleep or else, I told him that his brothers took naps when they were four. Did any of this help to change his mind? Nope. Instead, my sweet but strong-willed child told me I couldn’t make him sleep and that he was never closing his eyes again. If you’ve got what they call a “spirited” child, this probably sounds very familiar.

This isn’t our first rodeo with a spirited child; our first son was/is very similar. With him, we were in complete shock that none of the classic parenting methods seemed to work. Kids with this temperament tend to be more persistent, sensitive, intense, curious, and perceptive (according to Dr. Mary Sheedy Kurcinka in Raising Your Spirited Child). With all the labels in today’s world, my husband and I often joke that “spirited” is just a nicer way of saying, difficult. It’s true, this personality type is often very difficult to parent. It can be exhausting in so many ways. They tend to require the bare minimum when it comes to sleep, for one. Their big emotions sometimes make it feel like you’re trapped in an insane asylum as you try to reason with them. Kiddos with this temperament pick up on everything, can become fixated on something and refuse to give up, and can sometimes have very strong reactions with seemingly no warning.

The reason it feels like a whole new (and even more exhausting) ball game this time around is that unlike with the oldest, our four-year-old is living in a much fuller home and has lots of big brothers to mimic and argue with.

By the time dinner rolls around, my older kids are usually asking, “Has he had his nap today?! Mom-he needs a nap!”.  One of them even asked a few weeks ago if we could send him to boarding school. After refusing to eat his dinner, I was frustrated and asked him how it felt to never eat to which he replied, “It feels good!”.

On another stressful day and after countless time-outs, I thought it would be a great reset to take a walk with just the two of us, through our neighborhood. He fought me while I held his hand to cross the road and when we reached the sidewalk, I asked him why he was trying to pull away. He didn’t even hesitate to give me an honest answer. “Because you’re trying to control me!” was his reply. Even though he usually loves holding my hand, he realized that was just one more thing he could fight for control on.  Below the defiant exterior, he eventually gets overwhelmed and sad just like everyone else. He’s just able to hide it for a really long time while he goes to war with all of his family members. Sure, all toddlers and preschoolers have their defiant moments. They’re learning, they’re pushing boundaries, they are trying to figure out their place in the world.

Yes, there are certain things you can try to do with kids this age to help things run more smoothly. Parenting books are full of ideas and from what I’ve seen, often suggest that kids struggling with control need more options. That can be true, definitely. However, even implementing more options for my more challenging kids rarely seems to change the outcome. For example, my four-year-old can brush his teeth with supervision, but I still help to make sure he got them clean enough. I tell him I’ll put the toothpaste on and then he can help brush. To which he often responds, “No, I want to do it. I know how.” I tell him that toothpaste is a parent’s job and that he can help brush, but instead of complying, he reacts by telling me he isn’t brushing and seals his lips together.

I say he should wear pajama pants to bed because he might get cold, he disagrees and wears shorts. We ask him to sit on the stairs to get his shoes on, so he sits just out of reach and says he likes the other step better. I say he can’t roll his window down in the car because it’s raining, he says he wants the rain on his face and likes to be wet and cold. I say he should wear a hat because it’s so sunny, he says he likes the sun in his eyes.

You get the picture. It can be really tough and wearing to navigate, especially when you mix in the sibling dynamics and bickering. Even when my little guy isn’t fighting me, he is usually fighting his brothers and everything can quickly descend into chaos. If your child is always early to rise, demands to do everything themselves, and makes it feel like you’re living with a teenager from the age they can walk-you more than likely have a spirited child.

Two of my kids have completely different personalities from my more spirited children. That doesn’t mean they’re better, it just means that our two with bigger emotions tend to need us differently. Every child is unique, but we can still be as consistent as possible. Hopefully, understanding the quirks and challenges that come with raising more persistent, intuitive, and sensitive children will help us react in ways that calm the situation rather than aggravate it. For what it’s worth, I have learned that children with spirited temperaments tend to thrive with more activity and steady routines. At the end of the day, my little guy loves even more fiercely than he fights. He can be thoughtful and empathetic, cares deeply for animals, helps others when they’re hurt, and is extremely protective of his family (even the brothers that he goes to war with). I have no doubt that the traits that sometimes make him difficult to parent, are the very same traits that will become strengths when he is an adult. His intense curiosity, strong-will, and perseverance are a gift, even if they feel like more of a curse sometimes in these younger years. The same little boy that fights me at every turn and makes steam come out of my ears is the same one who knew I had a headache the other day, put his head against mine, and said, “I’m trying to give it to me instead of you.”

A few things that absolutely help when it comes to raising not-so-easy little ones, are patience and choosing your battles. Both can be very difficult, especially when you’re at your wits-end with your child’s fighting spirit. Pray for peace in your heart and home, for patience and discernment in your parenting, and for strength in the stressful and exhausting moments. Ask them for forgiveness when you lose your temper no matter how young they are and trust God’s plan in giving you these children to raise. Hang in there, mom. Your spirited child loves you to infinity and beyond, and there is no one more qualified for the job.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. -Colossians 3:12

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1.  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

2.  “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3

3.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

4.  “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” John 14:27

5.  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

6.  “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18

7.  “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19

8.  “But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

9.  “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Proverbs 12:25

10. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

11. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

12. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

13. “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time.  Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

14. “Tell everyone who is discouraged, Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue…” Isaiah 35:4

15. “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Luke 12:22-26

16. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

17. “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22

18. “Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’” Mark 6:50

19. “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

20. “’For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,’ declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:13-14

21. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

22. “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?  The Lord is with me; he is my helper.” Psalm 118:6-7

23. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25

24. “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:39-40

25. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” Psalm 34:7

26. “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.” 1 Peter 3:14

27. “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4

28. “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22

29. “Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.’” Revelation 1:17

30. “Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” Mark 5:36

31. “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38-39

32. “The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17

33. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”…He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you…For he will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways…“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him…” from Psalm 91:1-16

Do you need prayer? If you are struggling and need a community to surround you, I’d love to invite you to check out our prayer community. Post your prayer request and pray over others. It is a great faith builder!

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One of my favorite ways to tackle anxiety in my own life is through worship music! So, here is a list of 20 worship songs that have helped me turn my eyes to Jesus and brought me so much peace when I have been in my darkest moments. I hope you can use these as a tool to calm your anxiety and focus on Jesus.

Warrior – Hannah Kerr

“You’ll never stop me, I’m a warrior, when I fall down I’ll get stronger, faith is my shield, your love is the armor.”

Eye of the Storm – Ryan Stevenson

“In the eye of the storm, You remain in control, in the middle of the war, You guard my soul, You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn, Your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm.”

Stand In Your Love – Josh Baldwin

“My fear doesn’t stand a chance when I stand in your love”

Love Has a Name – Jesus Culture feat. Kim Walker Smith

“We will fix our eyes on the one who overcame. We will stand in awe of the one who breaks the chains. Love has a name, Jesus!”

 Praise You Through the Storm – Casting Crowns

“And every tear I’ve cried, You hold in your hand, You never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm.”

Reckless Love – Cory Asbury

“Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine, I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away, oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God”

Scars – I Am They

“So I’m thankful for the scars, cause without them I wouldn’t know your heart, and I know they’ll always tell of who you are, so forever I am thankful for the scars.”

The Father’s House – Cory Asbury

“Love is breaking through when the Father’s in the room! Lay your burdens down, here in the Father’s house. Check your shame at the door cause it ain’t welcome anymore!”

Anchor of Peace – North Point Worship

“Oh you don’t have to look no farther, He’s the hope that you need, oh if your sails are torn and tattered, and the storm just won’t cease, take hold of the hand of the Saviour, He’s the anchor of peace.”

Ceasefire – for KING & COUNTRY

“I will be the first to say I’m far from perfect, but grace was made for those who don’t deserve it”

Lord of My Life – Matt Maher

“Every step I take, always by my side, I am yours, you are mine, be the Lord of my life.”

Waymaker – Michael W. Smith

“Waymaker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, my God, that is who you are.”

Not Today- Hillsong United

“Let the Devil know not today!’”

 God Only Knows- For King & Country

“God only knows what you’ve been through, God only knows what they say about you, God only knows the real you, but there’s a kind of love that God only knows!”

Peace Be Still – Hope Darst

“Peace be still, you are here so it is well, even when my eyes can’t see, I will trust the voice that speaks!”

Control – For King & Country

“I give up control; body, mind, and soul. Can’t do this on my own, alone, no.”

I Will Fear No More – The Afters

“You’re my courage when I worry in the dead of night, You’re my strength ’cause I’m not strong enough to win this fight, You are greater than the battle raging in my mind, I will trust You, Lord, I will fear no more”

Rescue- Lauren Daigle

“I hear you whisper underneath your breath, I hear your SOS, your SOS. I will send out an army to find you in the middle of the darkest night, it’s true, I will rescue you.”

You’re Gonna Be Okay – Jenn Johnson

“Hold on, don’t let go, just take one step closer, put one foot in front of the other, you’ll get through this, just follow the light in the darkness, you’re gonna be ok”

No Longer Slaves – Jonathan David and Melissa Helser, Bethel Music

“I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God.”

BONUS! Choosing only 20 songs is impossible because there are SO many great songs out there that could easily make this list. However, I only have 20 spots to fill. BUT I’m breaking the rules and giving you ONE more. The last song on this list is… Cover the Earth by Kari Jobe and her husband, Cody Carnes. I promise this song will make you want to sing along at the top of your lungs.

Next time you feel consumed by anxiety and worry, use these songs as a tool. In Psalm 105:2 it says “Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!” God wants us to come before Him in worship, no matter how we are feeling. When we come to Him in worship with our fears, He hears our cries and does work in our lives.

]]> https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/20-worship-songs-to-help-you-fight-fear-anxiety/feed/ 0 https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/talking-with-kids-about-tragedy-traumatic-events/ https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/talking-with-kids-about-tragedy-traumatic-events/#respond Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:54:37 +0000 Rebecca Joy 2026-07-27T03:48:33+00:00 https://d955.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=42996 Getty | fizkes Recent events have me looking at my children wondering how to talk to them about tragedy and the difficulties of this world. I’m grateful for resources that can help us as we try to grapple with hard stuff. In order to equip you with your own children, we’ve compiled some resources from trusted professionals.

Questions to Help Guide Hard Conversations

• What are you worried or afraid about?
• What are your friends talking and thinking about?
• How have you been affected?
• Talk about your core values. We hold on to the hope of Christ.
• Allow children to express their emotions. Remind them that having a lot of emotions is normal.
• Remind your child that you are there if they want to talk at any time.
• It’s okay to not have the answers, but you can still share how you struggle with your child and where you look for that hope and security.
• Pray with your child.

Without factual information, children speculate to fill in the empty spaces so it is important that they know you are a safe place to have hard conversations. Reassure them. Encourage your child to share their feelings by sharing your feelings (in an age appropriate way!) Remember to look for the good. There is always heroism in the face of tragedy.

Strategies by Age Group

Ages Birth to 6

No media exposure to major traumatic events. Children at this age draw love and support from their parents so if they guardians feel safe, children will as well. Speak calmly about bad things. Parents should maintain a sense of calmness.

Ages 6-12

Children this age are more aware of the world around them, yet still need moms and dads to shield them from most of the bad news in our world. Very limited exposure to the media is recommended at this stage, with more open discussions about any fears or insecurities that the child is feeling. Talking is encouraged for this age group, or write letters to emergency workers to thank them for helping the victims. Drawing pictures allows for healthy emotional expression, and something everyone needs is just being held close. A hug can help bring security to a child. Also remember to have special times of prayer. These steps help children better deal with their fears about bad things that happen in the world.

Ages 12-18

Young students have their own impressions of traumatic events. The older they are, the more likely they will have strong opinions, and it is normal for them to process their feelings with friends. This should be balanced with family, teachers, clergy or counselors. They need time to verbally process how they feel about what happened ten years ago. Special emphasis should be placed on helping this age group talk through the issues and how it impacted them and not stay isolated. Silence is a warning sign that the crisis events of the past have been internalized. Strict limits on over exposure of media is essential to prevent anxiety or panic levels from rising.

How to Help Kids After a Tragedy

• Listen carefully and compassionately.
• Spend time with traumatized children. It’s always better to be together than alone after trauma.
• Offer assistance and a listening ear. Reach out to people you haven’t heard from.
• Reassure safety after danger has passed.
• Help with everyday tasks.
• Tragedy produces a lot of emotions. Crisis brings out the best and the worst. Don’t take these feelings personally.
• Never use phrases like “Lucky it wasn’t worse.” Seek to tell them you are sorry the event occurred.
• Connect with compassion and empathy. Avoid trying to ‘fix’ them.
• Utilize professional grief counselors.
• No one gets through a crisis alone. Talking through elevated stress after tragedy is essential.

Signs of Stress

Infants & Toddlers

• Regression in sleeping, toilet training, eating. Slowing down in certain skills.
• Difficulty with sleep.
• Clinginess
• Crankiness, temper tantrums, crying

3-5 Years of Age

• Regression. Returning to security items, lapses in toilet training and other age appropriate behavior.
• Bewildered. Making up fantasy stories.
• Blaming themselves and feeling guilty.
• Bedtime anxiety, fitful sleep, frequent waking.
• Fear of being abandoned. Clinginess. Feelings of not being safe.
• Greater irritability, aggression or temper tantrums

6-8 Years of Age

• Pervasive sadness, specifically if they perceive they will be abandoned or rejected.
• Crying and sobbing
• Afraid of their worst fears coming true. “Catastrophizing”
• Fantasies that the stressful event didn’t happen and that things will just ‘go back to normal.’
• Overactive or over-involved to avoid thinking about stressful issues.
• Feel ashamed of the crisis; or feel they are different from other children because of the crisis.

Adolescents

• Fear of being isolated, lonely
• Fear loss and stability and security from parents leaving them
• Feel hurried to achieve independence party to escape crisis
• Trying to over-achieve to forget the crisis
• Worry about their own future, preoccupied with the survival of stable situations.
• Chronic fatigue, difficulty concentrating. Physical complaints may indicate stuffed emotions.
• Mourn the loss caused by the crisis or begin to understand that life can be a dangerous place.

Coping Skills to Reduce Traumatic Stress

Physical:

• Sleep, (7-9 hours)
• Sleep rituals- Same time to wake up and go to bed
• Predictable daily schedule
• Healthy Diet with Regular mealtimes
• Hydration throughout day
• Nutritional supplements
• Low impact exercise
• Deep breathing
• Relaxation routines/massage or energizing naps
• Regular physical checkups, including blood work
• Medication, (as prescribed by your physician)

Emotional:

• Esteem building exercises, especially with photos or images
• Laughter/Fun/Playtime
• Face anger, anxiety and apathy directly
• Journal out negative emotions
• Let go of painful past memories
• Say “NO” to bad habits
• Talk through issues to get through issues
• Identify and process hurtful emotions
• Write letters to vent out disappointment, (then tear them up)

Relational:

• Face relationship issues
• Voice your needs to others
• Confront conflict directly
• Connect with friends/family
• Share your burdens with others
• Join a support group
• Utilize counseling supports
• Join a hobby group which involves others
• Say “NO” to manipulative behavior
• Hugs/affection, (from pets or students)
• Learn the love language of those close to you

Behavioral

• Daily planning time
• Utilize organizational planners
• Short term goals
• Daily hobbies for enjoyment
• Creative activities for relaxation
• Develop victory list of accomplishments
• Create a bucket list of lifetime goals
• Reading for personal development
• “Pay it forward” to do good for others
• Learn something new everyday
• Take on new challenges
• Leave work stress at work
• Take a training course to gain a new skill

Spiritual:

• Prayer
• Volunteer to help others
• Reading for inspiration
• Forgive those who have wronged you and forgive yourself
• Listen to inspirational music
• Attend spiritual development classes
• Attend inspirational services
• Make prayer a regular part of your day
• Observe a day of rest
• Find a way to get in touch with nature by visiting a state park, lake or beach
• Memorize scripture to develop your soul
• Remember, “Things come to pass – not stay”
• Re-create spiritual peace in quiet places
• Build spiritual strength through meaningful experiences
• Attend prayer vigils to experience greater spiritual and community connection

Sources: Information gathered from resources by Kathleen O’Connell, Dwight Bain, The American Red Cross

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you’ve probably heard about the larger-than-life wooden trolls tucked away along trails and in parks. They’re whimsical, mysterious, and just magical enough to convince a seven-year-old that maybe—just maybe—they come alive after everyone leaves.

One afternoon, Penny and I decided to go for a walk to find one. The entire way there she buzzed with excitement. “What if it’s bigger than our house?” she asked. “What if it’s real? What if it moves?” I assured her that it wouldn’t move, although I secretly hoped it might blink just once so I could see the expression on her face.

After weaving through the trees, we finally found it.

It was enormous.

Its wooden hands stretched across the forest, its face peeked through the trees, and every carefully carved detail made it feel almost alive. Standing beside it made us feel wonderfully small.

Joanna Gott

Penny stared up at it for a long moment before turning to me and asking, “Mom… is God bigger than the troll?”

I smiled.

“Oh yes,” I replied. “Much bigger.”

She nodded thoughtfully, still looking up at the towering figure. Then she asked another question that stopped me in my tracks.

“How big is God?”

Those are the moments motherhood has given me—the questions no parenting book really prepares you for. Because how do you explain someone who can’t be measured? How do you describe someone who has no beginning or end, who created the universe, but whom you can’t physically point to?

It’s an especially interesting question in a world filled with imaginary characters and magical stories.

Children grow up hearing about Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny. They read stories about dragons, unicorns, talking animals, trolls hiding in forests, superheroes with incredible powers, and dinosaurs that once roamed the earth. Some of those things are real. Some are pretend. Some are based on history, while others exist only in imagination.

Then somewhere in the middle of all those stories, we tell them about God.

Only this time we say, “This One is real.”

If you stop and think about it, that’s actually a pretty big concept for a child to grasp. Unlike the troll standing in the woods, we can’t point to God with our finger. Unlike Santa, He doesn’t leave wrapped presents under the tree. Unlike the Tooth Fairy, He doesn’t tuck money beneath a pillow. We teach our children about Someone they can’t physically see but who is more real than anything else they’ll ever know.

We tell them He hears every prayer.

That He created the stars.

That He knows every hair on their head.

That He loves them more deeply than anyone ever could.

That He is always with them.

Those are beautiful truths. But they’re also invisible ones.

The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve realized that this isn’t just a challenge for children. It’s one we continue wrestling with as adults.

Our questions simply become more sophisticated.

Is God really here?

Can He hear me?

Is He paying attention?

Does He see what I’m walking through?

Has He forgotten me?

As children we wonder, “How big is God?” As adults, we often ask, “Is God big enough for this?”

Big enough for the diagnosis.

Big enough for the financial strain.

Big enough for the broken relationship.

Big enough for the uncertainty.

Big enough for the prayers that seem to echo back in silence.

Maybe that’s why I loved Penny’s question so much. Children have a way of asking the questions adults are quietly carrying in their hearts.

The Bible paints a picture of God’s greatness that stretches far beyond what our minds can fully comprehend. Isaiah writes, “Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales.” (Isaiah 40:15). Just a few verses later we’re reminded that God measures the waters in the hollow of His hand and stretches out the heavens like a curtain. The oceans fit within His hand. The stars were spoken into existence by His voice. Mountains are measured by Him.

Suddenly that giant troll didn’t seem quite so giant anymore.

Neither did many of the things that tend to overwhelm me.

Sometimes I think we unintentionally shrink God down to the size of our own understanding. If we can’t see Him working, we assume He isn’t. If we can’t explain what He’s doing, we wonder if He has a plan at all. We measure His ability by our own limitations.

Children don’t do that.

Penny never questioned whether God could be bigger than the troll. She simply assumed He was. She just wanted to know how much bigger.

There’s something incredibly beautiful about that kind of faith.

Jesus understood it too. That’s why He said, “Let the little children come to me… for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14). Children believe before they fully understand. They trust before they have all the answers. They don’t spend their energy trying to reduce God to something manageable. They simply believe He is who He says He is.

As we turned to leave, Penny looked back one last time at the towering troll.

“God is definitely bigger,” she said matter-of-factly.

I laughed.

“I think you’re right.”

As we walked back through the woods, I couldn’t stop thinking about that simple statement. So many things in life can feel like that giant troll—towering over us, intimidating us, making us feel incredibly small. A difficult diagnosis. A broken dream. Financial uncertainty. Waiting for an answered prayer. Parenting struggles. Grief. Fear of the future.

Maybe the goal isn’t to convince ourselves those things are small.

Maybe the invitation is simply to remember that God is so much bigger.

Bigger than our fears.

Bigger than our doubts.

Bigger than our unanswered questions.

Bigger than the mountains we face.

And yes…

Even bigger than the biggest troll in the Pacific Northwest.

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Read more of Joanna’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.

Last week, I tried having my Bible Devotion in the living room because I heard someone say the children should see you reading your Bible and it sounded like wise advice, so I gave it a try. Let’s just say I now understand why Peter went out all the way onto of the roof top to pray. Out of sight, out of reach and all alone.  Peter went up on the roof of the house to pray. Acts 10:9
I was literally interrupted every 3 minutes. This reminded me of a clip that a friend shared which said the average Mom is interrupted about every 3 minutes.

Finally, I gave up and took my Bible reading to a more secluded place, aka my bathroom. I guess only Daddy has the privilege of reading his Bible in the living room uninterrupted.

On the other hand, I love that the children know that they can come to me anytime for anything and they will have my ear.

However, as they grow and mature, I now need wisdom on how to train them on reading the room, learning how to wait for a more opportune time and how to show respect for what others are doing as well. Teaching them to think of others and not just themselves. To judge and know when it is an emergency and Mom can and should be be interrupted versus when what they have to say can wait until Mom has finished reading her Bible and spending time with God. They like to say if they wait, they will forget, so this training has the added bonus of them acquiring the much needed skill of memory retention.

Where there is a will, there is a way. Having a consistent personal time of Bible reading and prayer may mean getting up half an hour earlier to pray while the children are still sleep, utilizing naptimes and quiet times or the last hour of your day after everyone has gone to bed. What is important is that this vital time with God is consistent.

Just as a father loves his children, So the LORD loves those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence]. Psalm 103:13

[The LORD answered] “Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Isaiah 49:15

Having children and families was never meant to draw us away from our consistent, intimate communion with our God in Bible reading, worship and prayer. Rather, it serves to give us a deeper understanding of God’s love, devotion and affection for us. The love a parent has for their child is fierce. Think about what you would do for your child, the lengths you would go, now multiply that by a gazillion because that is how fiercely God loves you.

So, if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11

I noticed that once I give the children my complete, undivided attention at the start of the day, no phone, no quick chores while we talk but sitting down with them, making eye contact, hugging them and letting them connect with me deeply fills their tank up. It gives them a sense of grounding and security that we all crave as human beings because we were created for community and family. Once their tank is full, they are more content to go about their own activities like playing or reading a book for a more extended period of time.

May God give us wisdom as Moms and parents on how to strike that balance between holding our children close, which is vital for their sense of belonging and teaching them a grounded sense of independence which they will need to thrive out in the world as adults.

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Read more of Rachel’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.

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There are the basic things, like how to dress themselves, how to tie their own shoes, how to ride their bikes, and how to change the toilet paper roll (good luck with that last one!).

And, then you add in the big things: teaching them about God and faith, teaching them empathy and compassion, and how to survive in this crazy world.

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

It’s no wonder that moms often feel stressed out and hopelessly unqualified for their jobs.

I felt such a heavy weight of responsibility as a young mother as I attempted to teach my kids everything they needed to know.  What had I forgotten?  Were they absorbing the lessons?  Often as they were heading out the door I was still yelling instructions to them.  “Don’t forget to say please and thank you!”  “Share with your friends!”  “Be kind to others!”

My kids would yell back, “We know!”

But I wanted to make sure that my children didn’t fall through the cracks, that they didn’t have to learn things the hard way, and that I was doing my job of mothering well.

Of course I did miss teaching some things and of course they had to learn some things the hard way.  I felt so much self-induced stress as I watched them traipse through life.

What I failed to acknowledge back then was how much my kids learned on their own and how much THEY could teach ME.

When my son was little, I took him to see the play, “The Victor” (about Jesus’ death and resurrection).  As the soldiers marched Jesus down the center aisle of the church ridiculing him for saying he was the king of the Jews, my little son began yelling angrily, “He is!  He is the king of the Jews!”  It was very embarrassing.  But he didn’t care.  It was more important to him to get the truth out there.

He taught me about brave faith.

One of my children was mercilessly bullied in school for years.  I wanted to go to the school and beat up the bullies, their parents, and anyone else I could blame.  My child told me in no uncertain terms to stay out of it.  Watching this child march off day after day to a literal war zone taught me more about bravery than anyone else ever has.

I grew up in a gossipy house.  My mom loved to “discuss” people and their problems.  I used to fall into that same trap, until my daughter changed me with her kind nature.  Whenever I would begin to speak harshly about someone she would defend them: “Maybe they were just tired, mom.”  Or “They probably didn’t mean it that way.”

She taught me so much about grace.

I have a jewelry box full of weird costume jewelry.  None of it has any monetary value.  My granddaughter used to love to get the box down.  She would pull out each item, caress it gently and speak about its beauty.  “Oh, isn’t this lovely?” she’d ask me in a reverent whisper.  When she was done she would carefully lay the jewelry back in as though it were worth millions.

She taught me to appreciate the little things in life.

I wish I had taken away a big percentage of the stress I put on myself to teach my children everything I had ever learned and instead spent more time listening and learning from them.  Children have so much to teach us if we only take the time to listen.

My kids are adults now and they are still teaching me, maybe even more than I taught them.  And now I have grandchildren to learn life lessons from too.  I am better at slowing down and taking in the lessons now.  I love nothing more than to sit and watch them as they experience life and its teachings on their own.

Proverbs 17:6: “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

My grandkids know that they can teach Nana whatever they’ve learned.  They tell me about sports teams and the latest online games.  They teach me new slang words and what they mean.  They come to me with the latest things they’ve realized about life and I pause and am astounded by the learning they’ve acquired all on their own.

“And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

I am having more fun becoming like a little child than I ever did as the teacher.

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Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.

In fact, these have officially climbed to the top of mine and Penny’s favorite cookies to bake together. The dough is packed with gooey marshmallows, crunchy graham crackers, and plenty of chocolate, and watching the marshmallows puff up in the oven is almost as fun as eating the finished cookies. Almost.

If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to bring to a backyard barbecue, neighborhood gathering, or simply enjoy on the porch with a glass of cold milk, these cookies are it. They’re soft in the middle, slightly crisp around the edges, and loaded with everything that makes a s’more so irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup salted butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups mini marshmallows, divided
• 2 cups broken graham crackers, divided
• ½ cup milk chocolate chips
• ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 Hershey’s chocolate bars, broken into small pieces

Step 1: Prep Everything First

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to keep cleanup simple and prevent sticking.

Gather all of your ingredients before you begin. You want the butter to be softened, but if it has become a little too soft sitting on the counter, pop it into the refrigerator for about five minutes so it isn’t overly melty. Having everything measured ahead of time also makes baking with kids so much easier. Penny loves being the official “ingredient helper,” and it keeps the process moving without searching through the pantry every few minutes.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

This step is worth taking your time on because it creates that soft, chewy texture everyone loves in a homemade cookie.

Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat until everything is fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

At this point the dough already smells amazing, and if you’re baking with little helpers, expect a few requests to lick the spoon.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.

Mix on low speed until everything just comes together. Be careful not to overmix the dough. Once the flour disappears, stop mixing. Overworked cookie dough can become tough instead of soft and chewy.

Step 5: Fold in All the Good Stuff

Now comes everyone’s favorite part.

Using a spatula, gently fold in:

• 1½ cups broken graham crackers
• 1½ cups mini marshmallows
• Milk chocolate chips
• Semisweet chocolate chips

Every scoop of dough should have a little bit of everything. I always let Penny sprinkle these in because she gets so excited watching the cookie dough transform into something that already looks delicious before it’s even baked.

Step 6: Scoop the Dough

Using a large cookie scoop (about 2–3 tablespoons), portion the dough onto your prepared baking sheets.

Leave about 2 inches between each cookie because they’ll spread while baking.

For even more texture, gently press a few extra graham cracker pieces into the tops of the dough before baking. It gives the finished cookies that classic campfire look.

Step 7: Bake

Bake the cookies for 10 minutes, just until the edges begin to set while the centers still look slightly underdone.

Immediately remove the baking sheets from the oven and gently press:

• 4–5 additional mini marshmallows
• A couple pieces of Hershey’s chocolate

onto the top of each cookie.

This is the secret that gives them that picture-perfect bakery appearance and ensures plenty of gooey marshmallow in every bite.

Step 8: Finish Baking

Return the cookies to the oven for another 2–3 minutes.

If you’d like your marshmallows to have that beautifully toasted campfire look, switch the oven to broil for the last minute. Just don’t walk away—they can brown very quickly!

Step 9: Cool Before Enjoying

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

This helps them finish setting while keeping the centers wonderfully soft.

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to five days, or freeze them for up to two months. If you’re enjoying them later, pop one in the microwave for about 10 seconds and it’s almost like eating a freshly baked cookie.

A New Summer Favorite

There are recipes that you make once because they look fun, and then there are recipes that quietly become part of your family’s traditions. These cookies have definitely become the second kind for us.

There’s something special about baking them together. Penny loves adding the marshmallows, I love sneaking a few extra chocolate pieces on top, and together we wait impatiently by the oven, watching the marshmallows puff up and the chocolate melt. They bring all the nostalgia of roasting s’mores around a campfire but are simple enough to make any afternoon when you’re craving a little taste of summer.

So whether you’re planning a family movie night, hosting friends for a backyard barbecue, or simply looking for a cozy baking project with your kids, these S’mores Cookies are guaranteed to disappear quickly. They capture everything we love about summer—warm memories, sweet moments together, and just enough melted chocolate to make life a little more delicious. And if your kitchen ends up with marshmallows scattered across the counter like ours always does, I’d say that’s just part of the fun.

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I love planting seeds, watching the starts poke through the soil, and then seeing them grow into crop-producing plants.  If anyone wants to experience God’s miracles, all you have to do is plant some seeds.  Seriously, how is it that so much comes out of a tiny seed?

It brings me more joy to be able to feed my family from the things I have grown in my yard.  I feel like a homesteader when I wander outside with my basket to pick food to nourish my people.

Ann Kirsten

My berry hedges alone produce uncountable gallons of raspberries and blueberries each summer.  The berries are like little jewels.  Their colors are vibrant and they taste so sweet.  But picking all those berries takes time and energy.  Added to that, they have to be processed (flash-frozen in batches or turned into jam).  It’s a lot of work.

Ann Kirsten

Besides the berries, I grow tomatoes, peas, beans, beets, carrots, parsnips, and radishes (to name a few).  After processing the berries I have to harvest the rest of the vegetables and work on them too.

By the time summer ends I am tired and burnt out from gardening and I never want to see another home-grown vegetable again.

I have a short memory however and usually by the time the next spring arrives, I am ready to plant way too much once again.

But this year a funny thing happened.  The few flowers I planted last year flung seeds to all of my raised beds and this year the beds were filled with blooms.  There was no room to plant my usual variety of vegetables.

Ann Kirsten

My daughter urged me to pull up the flowers to make room for other things, but I couldn’t bear to do it.  For one thing, the blooms were so pretty (it was like a meadow in my backyard) and for another, I felt such a lifting of my spirit.

I felt like I had been given a sabbatical from work.  The flowers taking over meant that I didn’t have to spend weeks in the kitchen processing uncountable tomatoes and other vegetables.  I didn’t have to feel the constant guilt of unpicked food that was going to waste.

I suddenly felt free.

So, I did something I never thought I’d do.  I left the “meadows” alone.  I didn’t plant my usual produce-department-variety of seeds.  Instead, I picked bouquets and drank in their beauty.  I skipped my marathon sessions of food processing and just enjoyed the beautiful weather instead.  I read and embroidered.  And I truly enjoyed the summer without the constant guilt and back-breaking work.

Ann Kirsten

Other countries tell us that Americans don’t know how to stop and rest.  And that can be true.  Until the flowers arrived, it never occurred to me that I had a choice.  I thought I had to work hard just because I have dirt and I have seeds and I have a body that moves.

Taking a year off has been life changing.  I feel rested and peaceful.

My garden is starting to fade now.  The blooms are going to seed and seedpods are replacing petals.  They have a beauty of their own and the promise of flowers to come again next year.

If I wanted to, I could let all the seeds scatter and give myself another year of respite.  But, for now, this year was enough.  I will pull most of the seed pods and compost them instead.  There will still be enough flowers.

Next season I will go back to planting food once again.  The flowers and vegetables will mix together in a more symbiotic way.  Yes, that means that the garden will be a lot of work.

But, I have had my year of rest and I will be ready next year for the harvest once again.

When you read through the Bible you will see that even the God of all creation rested.

“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”  Genesis 2:1-3

This year God has taught me so many lessons about resting.  That it is indeed an option, how good it feels, how necessary it is for renewal of body and land, and how treasured it is by Him.

And, instead of a heavy yoke, He used flowers to teach me.

“The Lord said to Moses at Mount Sinai, “Tell the people of Israel this: ‘When you enter the land I will give you, let it have a special time of rest, to honor the Lord.” Leviticus 25:1-2

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Every child is created purposefully and intentionally by the Almighty God.

The pregnancy journey is more than a physical, it is a spiritual experience as well.

The Word of God reminds us that each child is deeply loved and cherished by God even before they are in the womb.

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” Jeremiah 1:5

For many, pregnancy is a time riddled with fear and anxiety. Below, I share Bible verses to pray over your pregnancy and child. Knowing the truth of God’s Word about us and every situation we experience builds up our faith. God’s Word empowers us and equips us to live victorious over fear as we walk in the plans and promises of God for us. And we know His plans are always good.

‘For I alone know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ Jeremiah 29:11

When Jesus shed His blood on the cross, He not only conquered death and the grave, but He stripped the devil of all His power. This includes power to rule over your mind.

The Bible says, “…through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear… were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14–15

You are free from fear! It’s just up to you to believe it and walk in that reality.

Bohdan Bevz

Say this prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You that through Jesus, I already have the victory. Thank You for the blood of Jesus that covers me and my baby. Thank You that fear has no authority over my mind, my pregnancy, or this baby’s birth. I declare that I am free from fear, anxiety, confusion, worry, uncertainty and mental torment. I receive the peace, clarity, strength, faith and a sound mind that Jesus purchased for me at the cross. Thank You, Father, that no weapon formed against me or my baby will prosper. Thank You that Your hand is upon this pregnancy and that my child and I are protected, loved, and called for Kingdom purposes. I will not be shaken because You are with me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. Proverbs 18:21.

God tells us life and death are in the power of the tongue. Our words have power and influence in shaping reality, whether we realize it or not. By speaking words that align with God’s truth, we can bring life, direction, and transformation.

Knowing that, I try to be really careful with what I speak over my children and regularly declare God’s Word over my life, husband, children and home.

God has proclaimed that His Word is powerful and it will all surely come to pass. So, open your mouth and boldly speak His Word over yourself, your children and your home in faith.

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

 If you feel afraid

• ‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’ Isaiah 41:10
• “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
• For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. 2 Timothy 1:7

If giving birth feels intimidating or overwhelming

• Shall I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it?” says the LORD. “Or will I who deliver close the womb?” says your God. Isaiah 66:9
• Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

When you need a reminder that Almighty God is always with you

• “I WILL NEVER [under any circumstances] DESERT YOU [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], NOR WILL I FORSAKE or LET YOU DOWN or RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU [assuredly not]!” Hebrews 13:5
• God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

If you feel anxious

• Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7.
• No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And this is their vindication from Me, says the LORD. Isaiah 54:17

To keep calm

• Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7.
• And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
• Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid. John 14:27
• Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.  Colossians 3:15
• Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
• He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
• You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Thee. Isaiah 26:3

To remember that pregnancy is God’s beautiful and divine plan

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:13-14.

Download bookmarks as a daily reminder of God’s constant Presence:

Philippians 4:7    |    Isaiah 26:3

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5 Fun Firefly Facts:

Fireflies aren’t flies, they’re actually beetles!

They are also known by other names such as: lightening bugs, moon bugs, and blinkies.

Not all species of fireflies can glow.

Before they mature to fireflies, they are known as glowworms while in their larval stage.

As glowworms, they eat slugs, other worms, snails, and other larvae.

What you’ll need for the craft:

Maria Magee

• Scissors
• Yellow paint
• Glue stick or glue dots
• Construction paper (I used light blue for the jar and dark blue for the background)
• Black marker or sharpie
• Ribbon (optional)

First, draw and cut out your jar shape.

Next, glue it to your background color.

Glue the ribbon on for the jar lid (I used a dark blue ribbon that I already had, but any type of color works!)

Maria Magee

Pour some yellow paint onto a paper plate. Have your kids dip their thumbs into the paint and stamp onto the jar.

Maria Magee

Once it’s dry, draw the wings, head, and antennae onto each yellow thumbprint.

Maria Magee

Hang up your firefly art to enjoy all summer!

If you’re looking for more firefly fun, check out this book! My kids have all loved it and it goes perfectly with this craft. The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle is a colorful adventure that ends with fun, flashing lights!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

– Download Bookmark –

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]]> https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/summer-firefly-craft-and-bible-verse-printable-bookmark/feed/ 0 https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/we-all-need-a-little-jesus/ https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/we-all-need-a-little-jesus/#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:00:49 +0000 Joanna Gott 2026-07-22T22:48:22+00:00 https://d955.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=60542 Joanna Gott Sometimes the most profound reminders don’t come from a sermon or a devotional. Sometimes they come from the back seat of your car, delivered by a seven-year-old with a pocket full of tiny plastic Jesus figurines.

A few weeks ago, Penny found a little box containing one hundred miniature Jesus figurines. Each one carried the simple message, “Jesus Loves You.” It didn’t take her long to decide exactly what she wanted to do with them. She wanted to give them away.

I loved her idea. There was something so sweet and genuine about her excitement. She wasn’t thinking about who deserved one or who needed one the most. She simply wanted people to know that Jesus loves them. Children have such a beautiful way of making faith feel uncomplicated.

On Sunday morning, as we were getting ready for church, Penny asked if she could bring a few figurines with us. Without thinking too much about it, I replied, “Well, you can, but people at church already know about Jesus. Shouldn’t we save them for people who don’t know about Jesus?”

She didn’t argue. She didn’t even respond. I could tell she was thinking about what I had said as she quietly slipped a few little Jesuses into her pocket before we headed out the door.

A few minutes later, while we were driving to church, she broke the silence.

“Mama,” she said, “even if they go to church, they still need to know Jesus loves them.”

Oof.

I don’t know if you’ve ever had one of those moments where your child says something so simple, yet so full of truth, that it stops you in your tracks. That was one of those moments for me. I realized that somewhere along the way, I had unintentionally divided people into categories—those who needed to hear about Jesus and those who already knew Him. But Penny reminded me of something I should have known all along.

Just because someone knows who Jesus is doesn’t mean they no longer need to be reminded of His love.

In fact, I would argue that we all need that reminder far more often than we realize.

Life has a way of making us forget. We know the truth in our minds, but our hearts can become weary. We carry burdens that no one else sees. We wrestle with disappointment, grief, anxiety, guilt, loneliness, and exhaustion. We wonder if God is listening to our prayers. We question whether we’re enough. We show up at church with smiles on our faces while quietly carrying things that feel impossibly heavy.

Church isn’t filled with people who have it all together. It’s filled with people who are desperately in need of Jesus—every single week.

That’s exactly why Scripture encourages believers to keep encouraging one another. Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” We often think of encouragement as something reserved for those who don’t know Christ, but these words were written to people who already believed. They still needed reminders. They still needed community. They still needed someone to speak hope into their lives.

Paul echoes this same truth in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, where he writes, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Again, these weren’t instructions for reaching unbelievers—they were instructions for caring for fellow believers.

Isn’t that beautiful?

Sometimes we think the gospel is only for the moment someone first accepts Jesus. But the gospel isn’t just the starting line of our faith—it is what carries us every single day afterward. We never outgrow our need to hear that we are loved, forgiven, chosen, and held by our Savior.

Joanna Gott

As I watched Penny hand out those tiny figurines after church, I couldn’t help but smile. She wasn’t trying to decide who needed Jesus the most. She wasn’t evaluating someone’s faith or wondering whether they’d already heard the message enough times. She simply wanted people to be reminded that they are loved.

Maybe that’s what we’re called to do, too.

Not to decide who has heard enough.

Not to assume someone sitting in the pew next to us doesn’t need encouragement.

Not to believe that because someone has followed Jesus for decades, they’ve somehow graduated from needing reminders of His grace.

Instead, maybe we’re simply called to keep pointing one another back to Him.

As Penny continues to hand out the Jesus figurines, I think about that conversation in the car. I think about how easily I forget that the people around me—even the ones who faithfully attend church every Sunday—are carrying stories I know nothing about. They may desperately need someone to remind them of a truth they’ve heard a thousand times before.

Because the truth is, none of us ever outgrow our need to hear three simple words:

Jesus loves you.

And this mama is grateful that God chose to use a seven-year-old little girl to remind her of that.

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Ummm, what?

I couldn’t relate.

For one thing, my kitchen floors are never pristine and two, I loved summer break with my kids!

It seems that moms are divided into two camps when it comes to summer.

• Camp A is relieved that all the scheduling, paperwork and homework that comes with having kids in school is over for the year.
• Camp B can’t wait for the NEXT school year to start so they can get back into the rhythm they’ve created to keep their homes running smoothly.

You all know me well enough by now to guess which camp I belong to.  I celebrate letting go of schedules, time crunches, homework, and “have-to’s”.  I love lazy days and relaxed kids.

I should mention that there was a hard and fast rule in our house; if you say you’re bored, you will be assigned a chore.  No exceptions.  My kids learned that lesson quickly.  They became skilled at inventing things to do.  That doesn’t mean that mom won’t need to step in once in a while though.

Because here’s the thing, summer should mean being a kid again for moms too!

Here are some ideas to get started:

• Buy popsicles from the ice cream man.  They’re more expensive but it’s so much fun.
• Have a water gun or water balloon fight.  The kids love it when you join in!
• Eat pancakes for dinner.  Top them with summer berries.
• Pick berries at a farm and bake something with them together.
• Set up a campsite in the backyard.  Camp overnight or just use the tent for a summer fort.
• Search for four leaf clovers in the yard or at a park.
• Stay up late watching old movies.  Introduce your kids to your childhood favorites.
• Blow bubbles or play hide and seek in the dark.
• Ride bikes together.
• Make daisy or dandelion chains.
• Create silly hair-dos and then take pictures.
• Roll down a grassy hill.
• Run through the sprinkler.
• Order funny books from the library and read them together.
• Write and illustrate your own books and read them to each other.
• Bake cookies and then ding-dong-ditch them at your neighbor’s front door.
• Draw pictures and send them to your faraway relatives.
• Make funny movies with costumes.  Have a viewing party.

Your kids will always remember that mom got silly with them and they will love it.  There are times though when you will need a break, and moms do deserve one.

• Trade a few hours of babysitting with a friend.
• Meet another family at a restaurant with a play yard.
• Give your kids a list of “money jobs” to do.  Sit back while they do them.
• Have a coffee date with an understanding friend.
• Invest in a pool and sit in the shade lifeguarding with an iced tea.
• Put on a classic movie, spread a blanket on the floor and let your kids eat lunch and watch it.
• Make a quiet time rule.  Every afternoon kids need to lay on their beds and read for an hour.
• And if you just can’t let go of a clean house, enlist your kids and make it fun.

My kids and I used to time ourselves to see how fast we could put laundry away.  We had so much fun doing it.  Kids were running everywhere, yelling and bumping into each other.  It made a boring chore doable.  Lots of chores can be done this way.  My son still remembers me singing the jeopardy song while he raced to put underwear away.

Life is about balance, isn’t it?  And balance can be hard to find.  With a little effort though, even if you’re a pristine house mama, you can find joy in the summer. Get silly with your kids and they will remember it forever.  Spend your time stressing over clean floors and they will remember that forever.

I hope these ideas help to remind you that summer isn’t just for kids.  And no matter which camp you belong to, I pray for you to have the very best of summers!

Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.

Psalm 127:3-5

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Sometimes they’re born from looking around the house and thinking, “Well…we already have these. Why not?”

That’s exactly how our painted paper lantern afternoon happened.

After a graduation party in June, I found myself with several round white paper lanterns that had done their decorating duty. I couldn’t quite bring myself to throw them away because they still had plenty of life left in them. They were simple, cheerful, and seemed to be asking for a second chance.

So one afternoon I spread out some paint, grabbed a few brushes, called Penny outside, and decided we’d see what happened.

We painted flowers, colorful patterns, dots, and all kinds of creative designs. Some lanterns looked like little works of art. Others looked exactly like what you’d expect when a 7 year old child is given unlimited paint and creative freedom—and honestly, I think those might be my favorites.

Now they’re hanging near the entrance of our garden, greeting us every time we walk outside with little pops of color and personality.

Every time I see them, they remind me that beauty doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Sometimes it just takes a little imagination.

What You’ll Need

Joanna Gott

The beauty of this project is how simple it is.

You can find everything you need at your local craft store or order it online.

Here’s what we used:

• Round white paper lanterns
• Acrylic craft paint
• Paint brushes in a variety of sizes
• Cups of water for rinsing brushes
• Paper towels
• A tablecloth or large piece of craft paper

That’s it!

No fancy supplies.
No complicated instructions.
Just a handful of inexpensive materials and an afternoon together.

Take the Project Outside

If the weather cooperates, I highly recommend doing this project outside. Not only is the lighting better, but you’ll spend a whole lot less time worrying about paint ending up somewhere it shouldn’t.

Joanna Gott

Let’s be honest—kids and paint have a way of expanding their creative reach far beyond the paper lantern.

Outside, you can simply relax and let them create.

Well…mostly relax.

If you happen to have a breezy afternoon like we did, you may want to come up with a plan for keeping your lanterns from taking flight. At one point, a gust of wind scooped up one of ours and sent it happily bouncing across the yard.

Then another.

Then another.

Before long we were all running after paper lanterns that seemed determined to begin their own adventure without us.

I’m fairly certain at least one neighbor’s Ring camera captured the whole event. Somewhere there’s probably footage of me chasing a giant painted lantern down the street while laughing and trying not to spill my paintbrush water.

If you can, tuck your painting station into a sheltered corner of the patio or use small containers to gently hold the lanterns in place while they dry.

Your future self—and perhaps your neighbors—will thank you.

Let Kids Create Their Own Masterpieces

One of my favorite things about this project is that there really isn’t a wrong way to do it.

Some kids may carefully paint tiny flowers. Others may decide the entire lantern should become one giant rainbow. Some might cover every inch with polka dots. Others might proudly announce that brown and neon green absolutely belong together.

Joanna Gott

They’re probably right.

This isn’t about making something Pinterest-perfect. It’s about giving your kids the freedom to create something that reflects them. Children are wonderfully uninhibited artists. They don’t spend much time worrying if something looks “right.”

There’s something beautiful about that.

As adults, we can learn a lot from watching our children create with confidence and joy.

Where to Hang Them

Once they’re dry, the fun really begins.

We chose to hang ours near the entrance of our garden because they make the space feel extra welcoming and cheerful.

But there are so many places they could brighten.

Try hanging them:

• From tree branches in your backyard
• Around a patio or porch
• In a playroom
• In a child’s bedroom
• Above a reading nook
• In a homeschool room
• For birthday parties or family celebrations

Really, anywhere you want to add a little color and whimsy.

Joanna Gott

One quick note: these paper lanterns are not weatherproof.

If they’re left outside during rain, the paper will soften, the paint may run, and your beautiful artwork could become a soggy mess.

We plan to bring ours inside if there’s rain in the forecast so we can enjoy them for as long as possible.

More Than Just a Craft

As I watched my daughter paint, I found myself thinking about how often God invites us to create. The very first thing we learn about Him in Scripture is that He is Creator. Made in His image, I don’t think it’s surprising that we find joy in making beautiful things too. Not because every project turns out perfectly or every craft deserves to be framed, but because creating has a way of slowing us down. It gives our hands something to do while our hearts begin to settle.

Some of our sweetest conversations happen side by side while we’re making something together. There isn’t any pressure to maintain eye contact or force a deep discussion. We simply paint, laugh, tell stories, and enjoy each other’s company. Somewhere between rinsing paint brushes and deciding whether the lantern needs “just one more flower,” the conversation naturally unfolds. Those ordinary afternoons often become the memories that stay with us the longest.

As parents, it’s easy to believe we need elaborate outings or expensive experiences to make childhood magical. Social media can make it seem like every memory has to be a grand adventure, but I’ve found that children rarely remember how much something cost. They remember that we sat beside them. They remember laughing until someone snorted. They remember chasing runaway paper lanterns across the yard while trying to catch them before they floated into the neighbor’s bushes. They remember that for one afternoon, the dishes waited, the laundry stayed unfolded, and we simply chose to be together.

I think those are the moments God delights in too.

He isn’t just present in the big milestones or perfectly planned family vacations. He’s there in the paint-covered fingertips, the giggles that echo across the backyard, and the quiet conversations that happen while little hands are busy creating. Those simple afternoons become gentle reminders that joy is often found in the ordinary, if we’re willing to slow down enough to notice it.

So if you happen to have a few paper lanterns tucked away after a party—or decide to pick some up on your next craft store run—I hope you’ll give this project a try. You might end up with colorful decorations for your garden, a playroom full of whimsy, or a backyard that feels just a little more magical. You might also end up with paint on your elbows and your own appearance on someone’s Ring camera as you chase a lantern down the street.

But more importantly, you’ll create something far more meaningful than painted paper. You’ll create space to laugh, connect, and make memories with your children. Years from now, they probably won’t remember every flower they painted or every color they used. But there’s a good chance they’ll remember that you were there beside them—and that is always the most beautiful thing we can create.

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For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:13-14.

As a Christian, Christ bought my freedom with His life. I did not have to toil and save for decades because He paid the price in full. My life was not free; it cost the priceless life of God Himself. He paid the price I could never pay, no matter how long I worked or saved up. He died that I may live free. And greater love has none than this, that one should lay down his life for his friends.

No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends. John 15:13

Jesus came to set the captives free. Surely, He is not talking about us, is He? We do not consider ourselves captives because, thankfully, we are not living in slavery, and neither are we on a ship captured by pirates or in a hostage situation.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” – Isaiah 61:1

As distanced myself from this phrase, whilst praying for those in actual captivity, God clearly spoke to me and said He is setting me free from being captive to sinful habits like anger, pride, laziness, procrastination and resentment. Hallelujah! I thank You my God for revealing to me what has been hidden in my heart, festering unforgiveness towards those that hurt me in the past. What a weight had been lifted! Jesus has set me free from that noose I did not even realize had me in a choke hold.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24

Thank You, Jesus, for bringing me to a place where pride is not able to keep me in denial and thus rob me of my deliverance. Yes, it is painful to admit that such has been the state of my heart. But more so, it is liberating to know that my redeemer has come through and redeemed me from all the sins that so easily entangled me.

What is so wonderful about Jesus setting us free, is that He not only pays the cost required but we are assured that we will never be captives again. We know this because He says so in His word. Whom the son sets free is free indeed! So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 

And what exactly is He setting us free from you may ask? Jesus sets us free from all sin and death. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

Jesus came to set all the captives free. Physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally or financially. And we know Jesus accomplished all He set out to do when He cried out on the cross: it is finished!

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For sure it is not easy living whole-heartedly for Jesus in a culture that is increasingly hostile to Him. It is hard. But it is not impossible. Jesus, in His divine wisdom and foresight, warned us about this already, but He did not leave us helpless or hopeless. He sent us the most powerful and effective Helper anyone could ever ask for; the Holy Spirit. Jesus also encourages us to take heart, because He has overcome the world. Not will or is going to, but He has already. That is an encouraging truth to hold on to, that we are fighting from a place of Victory.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] – John 16:33

Teaching our children to worship God is something I believe is top priority for every God-fearing parent.

Here are some steps you can take right now to ensure that you are leading and teaching the generations after you to serve and worship God from their hearts.

Pray over them

Remind God of His promises concerning your children and speak them over them by faith.

All your children will be taught of the Lord, and great will be their peace. – Isaiah 54:13.

Prayer: Oh Mighty Lord, teach my children to worship You in spirit and truth. Give them divine instruction and guidance to bring acceptable worship to You. Teach them the posture of worship, from their hearts, spirit and body. May they have a personal relationship with You. In Jesus’s Name, amen.

Start them young

From the lips of babies and infants, You have ordained and ordered high praise. –Psalm 8:2

Your children are never too young to worship God. Jesus Himself said let the little children come to Him. Remove every hinderance and obstacle that could stop your children from coming to Jesus and having a personal relationship with them. Attend Church services, fellowships, and Bible studies with your children. Teach them to memorize the Bible and live by it. Sing hymns, praise and worship songs to God with your children.

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for ordering Your praise from the lips of my children, may it manifest in their lives in the Name of Jesus. May Your praise always be upon their lips and may their hearts never draw far from You. Thank You for making my children open and receptive to Your teachings. May I too approach You Lord with child-like faith, trust and openness.

Model worship to them

One of my favorite Bible verses about being a Christian parent is Deuteronomy 11:19: You shall teach them [diligently] to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths], speaking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.

It gives clear guidance and instruction of what God expects of us as parents and points out how to execute His instructions.

But the verse before it is as equally as important. You can not teach what you do not know. The best kind of teacher is the one who models the lesson by living it out themselves. That way they can teach with authority and with the heart and passion that only personal experience can give.

Teaching our children true worship of God begins first of all with us being worshipers of God ourselves. There must be a permanent and deliberate effort on our part to remember and live by God’s laws first before we can then teach those very laws to our children.

“Therefore, you shall impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul, and tie them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as bands (frontals, frontlets) on your forehead. – Deuteronomy 11:18

It is so important for us to pass on our faith and obedience to God to future generations. And God will help us to do this as we consistently yield ourselves to Him.

“We will not hide them from our children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power, and the wonders He has done.” – Psalm 78:4

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But this recipe I have made on repeat for the last month.  I’ve probably baked these seven times.  Which is not to say I ever make them quite the same way.  My brain is just not wired that way.  But that’s the beauty of this recipe, you can veer off and make it your own (and I do).

Have you ever researched a Biblical diet?  It’s pretty interesting and consists of very healthy foods.  No wonder they lived so long.

Following a Biblical eating plan basically means eating fresh, clean meats, vegetables, nuts, fruits, and berries.  Many of the authors of Biblical eating plans also stress staying away from “unclean meats” like pork, fish without scales, processed meats, etc.

Once processed “instant” foods were introduced in the USA, our diets changed drastically.  Many of our foods have addictive ingredients that make us eat more.  The ease of processed foods are also addictive.  Who doesn’t want dinner ready in ten minutes?

The farther we’ve strayed from the diets of our ancestors, the unhealthier we’ve become.

Diabetes runs rampant in my family’s lineage.  My mom had it, her mom had it, both my uncles had it, my sister has it … the list goes on and on.  I was cursed with it about a decade ago.

At first I didn’t take it seriously.  I ate less but pretty much the same foods.  No matter how much insulin I shot in, my blood numbers were still too high.  As I got older I realized that I couldn’t continue in that way or I wouldn’t get to see my grandkids grow up.

I am now researching recipes online and gathering a whole collection of new, healthier ideas.  I’m cooking more at home, buying interesting ingredients and my blood sugar is now in the target range 90 percent of the time!  My doctor is thrilled.

I have to say that I get great joy from eating more like they did in the Biblical times.  I don’t feel deprived because the fresh foods are so delicious.

Now, I have to warn you that these cookies don’t look like the pretty processed ones you see in the store.  In fact, they look rather funky.

Ann Kirsten

But the taste will make up for that, I promise you!  My husband and my teen grandkids have given them the seal of approval (which, believe me, says a lot).

Okay, here we go:

Ann’s Biblical Cookies

• ½ cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 ½ bananas)
• ¾ cup natural nut butter (peanut, almond or cashew)
• 1/3 cup raw honey or date syrup (agave would probably work too)
• 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Add-ins:

• ½ cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, currants, chopped apricots …)
• ½ cup chips (chocolate, white chocolate, butterscotch, …)
• ¼ cup seeds or nuts (pepitas, sunflower, almonds, peanuts …)
• 1 Tablespoon flax or chia seeds

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line your cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Throw a soft banana and a half into a mixing bowl (no need to measure).  Add in the nut butter, honey and vanilla extract (don’t forget to spray your measuring cups with cooking spray – your sticky things will slide right out).  Run the mixer until all the ingredients are mixed together.  Add in the oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt and mix again.  This makes the base of your cookies.

Then go wild with your add-ins!  As long as you stick (almost) with the cups listed you can get creative with what you put in these.

If your dough is too sticky you can chill it for 30 minutes or even overnight.  Then roll your dough into golf ball size balls.  Press down the tops with your fingers until they are shaped like pucks.

Ann Kirsten

Bake 15 minutes or until the tops are set.

That’s it!

I store these in the fridge and they are delicious cold.

I have made these with every combination of add-ins you can imagine.  I couldn’t pick out my favorite because they are all delicious.

With a glass of milk or a cup of coffee, these make a perfect breakfast or snack. And everyone is different but they do not raise my blood sugar.  Win, win, win.

Give these a try and see if they don’t become a favorite of yours too.

^“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

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Sunshine, road trips, melted ice cream, backyard laughter… summer has a way of reminding us how good God is. And this year, AllMomDoes wants to help you savor every moment with a fun, family‑friendly Summer Bucket List you can take wherever the season leads.

Whether you’re planning slow evenings on the porch, big adventures with the kids, or simple moments of joy that reconnect you with God’s creation, this printable list is packed with ideas to make your summer brighter, lighter, and full of praise.

Download it, toss it in your beach bag, tape it to the fridge, or keep it in the car; however you use it, let it inspire you to make memories that matter!

Summer is here and that means a whole different kind of activity level in our home! I imagine most moms can relate to this shift in atmosphere. It’s an adjustment for everyone as we fumble around to establish a new summer routine. The backpacks and lunch boxes are cleaned and tucked away until fall, schedules have shifted, and ready or not, the kids are preparing for some exciting days ahead as they’re filled with anticipation of what new adventures this summer might bring.

Our oldest son has wrestling camps, practices, and will be starting driver’s ed soon. He’s got all kinds of goals for the summer and is also enjoying some time to take it slower in the mornings. My thirteen-year-old is just relieved he can sleep in a little and spend more time doing the hobbies he loves. Our eight-year-old is content to have some sports, Lego building, and bike riding on the agenda. My four-year-old son is happy to have his brothers home (for the moment) and just tries to keep up with them at all costs. Even though they’re all enjoying their time so far, each of my kids have asked, “Are we going anywhere this summer?”

We aren’t big vacation people. Being a family of six and with the age gaps between our kids, we haven’t had many opportunities to go on fancy vacations. If I’m being honest, it just hasn’t been a huge priority for us, either. Even little trips require so much preparation from us moms that it can be daunting.

Camping, trips to the ocean, and staying a few nights somewhere are usually the extent of our summer plans and that has suited us well. We’ve had a few bigger trips over the years and there are a lot of places I would love to take our kids, but when they asked where we were going this summer, I didn’t have an answer! It just snuck up on us after the very full school year we had, and my husband and I realized we hadn’t planned a single camping trip or stay somewhere. At first, we thought we should scramble to plan something so the kids have more to look forward to. But you know what? They have summer to look forward to and everything that comes with it.

Samia Gatgens

Somewhere between the sidewalk chalk and the lemonade stands, summer settles in. We navigate the first few days of chaos while they’re all choosing to stay in one room of the house and fighting over a spot on the couch, and then things start to shift. They get into a rhythm and I try to keep some sort of routine going (for my own sanity and theirs!) Yes, there are some bumpy days. Unfortunately, summer doesn’t mean kids won’t argue, fight, or get bored. We aren’t all blissfully leaping through sprinklers and enjoying a popsicle. Sometimes it happens, but most often someone has dropped a popsicle and the ants are all over it.  Or after all the sunscreen applying and swimming trunk finding, they are shivering and say the water’s too cold after two minutes and beg for a towel. The grass is stuck to their feet and tracked all over the house, their brother hit them with a water balloon outside of the designated pelting zone, there’s a hornet chasing them, or they think they should stay up until 10 because the sun still hasn’t set!

Nope, things aren’t perfect here. It’s still a busy time with a few sports camps, VBS, and swimming lessons. Aside from that, it feels good not to have a big trip on the calendar. We love to celebrate the 4^th of July so that’s always a big highlight, there are some local places we’d like to visit if we can, and maybe we’ll take a ferry boat ride for a day trip somewhere. My husband takes our older boys on some big hikes and we’re fortunate to live near many beautiful parks and a nice library.

Summer doesn’t have to be extravagant to be good. It’s amazing how much kids will come up with when they’re given the opportunity to slow down, to not be over-booked, and to take in the season by appreciating the simple things. Finding lady bugs, dipping their feet in a creek, and having an ice cream sandwich on the porch are great ways to spend a summer, no matter what the age.

If you’ve been feeling like your summer isn’t going to be “enough” because you don’t have some Instagram-worthy vacation planned, that’s just not true. The truth is, your kids will have a great summer even if all they do is draw with sidewalk chalk and ride their bikes. There’s no perfect recipe for summer vacation. Have some ice cream, go for walks, play catch with water balloons, and give yourself a break. It’s not our job to provide a picture-perfect summer, it’s our job to enjoy the time we have with our kids and to show them that some of the best memories can come from doing nothing at all.

A Moment in Summer

A moment in summer belongs to me and one particular honeybee. A moment in summer shimmering clear making the sky seem very near, a moment in summer belongs to me. -Charlotte Zolotow

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I’ve learned that I don’t need elaborate Pinterest-worthy projects or expensive craft kits to keep my daughter entertained. In fact, some of our favorite afternoons have come from using things we already had around the house. A little paint, a cardboard tube, some paper, and suddenly we’re creating masterpieces together.

The best part? These crafts aren’t really about the finished project. They’re about spending time together, letting kids explore their creativity, and giving their hands something fun to do. Some projects are wonderfully simple while others take a little more patience (from both kids and adults!). And as a bonus, with it being summer, you can make most of these creations outside so the clean up is minimal and not as stressful.

To make it fun, I decided to rate each craft using my official Sun Scale:

= Super easy
= Easy with a little help
= Moderate
= More involved
= Adventure-level crafting!

1. Painted Rocks

Difficulty:

This one has become a summer tradition at our house. Every walk suddenly turns into a treasure hunt as we’re searching for the perfect smooth rocks.

Once we get home, we spread out newspaper, grab some acrylic paints, and let creativity take over. We’ve painted ladybugs, strawberries, rainbows, flowers, silly faces, and even tiny houses. Sometimes we write encouraging words on them before hiding them around the neighborhood for someone else to find.

There’s something so satisfying about turning an ordinary rock into something colorful.

You’ll need:

• Smooth rocks
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brushes
• Optional clear sealer if you’d like them to last outdoors

Joanna Gott

2. Toilet Paper Roll Creatures

Difficulty:

I have learned never to throw away an empty toilet paper roll because somehow they always become the foundation for a craft.

We’ve turned ours into butterflies, binoculars for backyard adventures, little owls, rockets, flowers, and even a tiny castle. Add construction paper, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, or whatever odds and ends you have in your craft drawer, and kids will often come up with creations you never would have imagined.

It’s one of those crafts where perfection isn’t the goal. The sillier, the better.

You’ll need:

• Empty toilet paper rolls
• Construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors
• Markers or paint
• Googly eyes (always a favorite!)

Joanna Gott

3. Homemade Kites

Difficulty:

This one takes a little more time, but it’s worth every minute.

Making the kite is only half the fun. The real excitement comes afterward when you head outside to see if it actually flies. There’s usually plenty of laughter involved, a few adjustments, and lots of running across the yard.

We’ve made simple kites using fabric, wooden dowels, ribbon, and string. There are lots of great tutorials online to follow, or you can buy a cheap plastic kite to use as a template. In the end, even if they aren’t perfectly aerodynamic, kids don’t seem to mind. There’s something magical about watching something you made yourself catch the wind.

It’s the kind of project that easily turns into an entire afternoon.

You’ll need:

• Cotton fabric
• Wooden dowels
• String
• Ribbon for the tail
• Fabric glue or hot glue
• Markers or paint for decorating

Joanna Gott

4. Nature Collages

Difficulty:

Sometimes the best craft supply store is your own backyard.

Go on a short nature walk and collect leaves, flowers, pinecones, twigs, feathers, or interesting grasses. Once you’re home, spread everything out on a piece of cardstock and let kids arrange their own masterpiece.

Some create flowers. Others build little woodland scenes or abstract works of art. There isn’t a wrong way to do it.

I love this craft because it encourages kids to slow down and notice the little details outside that we often walk right past.

You’ll need:

• Cardstock or heavy paper
• Glue
• Leaves
• Flowers
• Twigs
• Anything nature provides!

Joanna Gott

5. Paper Bag Animal Puppets

Difficulty:

Craft time often turns into pretend play around here, so masks are always a hit.

Start with a brown paper lunch bag and let your child decide what they’d like to become. Maybe it’s a lion with a yarn mane, a bunny with floppy ears, a butterfly, a dinosaur, or even a silly monster.

Before long, your living room becomes a jungle, zoo, or magical kingdom of puppets that will lead to hours of additional play.

I love projects that continue long after the glue has dried.

You’ll need:

• Brown paper lunch bags
• Paint or markers
• Construction paper
• Yarn, feathers, or pom-poms
• Glue
• Craft sticks or elastic

Joanna Gott

A Few Thoughts Before You Get Started

If I’ve learned anything as a mom, it’s that crafts don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

Sometimes the paint ends up everywhere except the paper. Sometimes the glue bottle gets squeezed a little too enthusiastically. Sometimes the finished project looks nothing like what you originally imagined.

And honestly? Those are usually the crafts we remember the most.

I’ve also realized that kids don’t necessarily remember what they made nearly as much as they remember who sat beside them while they made it. Those conversations that happen while coloring or painting often become some of my favorite parts of the day.

So if you’re looking for a simple way to fill a summer afternoon, pull out the craft supplies, and embrace the mess. You don’t need fancy materials or artistic talent—just a willingness to create together.

Who knows? You might even find yourself having just as much fun as your kids.

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I am living that right now and it makes growing older so worthwhile.

Last week, my husband and I headed over to see our youngest grandkids (6 and 9).  Because they live a few hours away we don’t get to see them as much as we’d like to.

We were meeting at a coffee shop and looked forward to window shopping in the boutique stores nearby.  As we parked, our nine-year-old grandson came running towards us with arms wide open.  There is no better sight than a loved one running at you with their arms open for a hug.

As we walked towards the shop together, we heard screams.  When we realized that they were coming from my daughter and granddaughter, we ran as fast as we could.  We were not prepared for what we saw.

Our daughter was on the ground holding our little granddaughter in her arms.  Blood covered the front of our granddaughter from her forehead all the way down onto her shoes.  Our sweet little pixie had run as fast as she could to greet us, not seeing a metal rail right at her forehead height.  She hit it hard and it whipped her head back and cut her forehead straight across.

We were all traumatized.  Her older brother paced back and forth, her Papa shook while he called 911, her mom was barely keeping herself together, and I was trying to think of nothing but holding our granddaughter’s forehead together.

The firemen arrived quickly and were professional and kind.  They took our little sweetheart and her mommy away in an ambulance to the hospital in the next town over.

Once we knew she was in safe hands, we were all left with too much adrenaline and so many questions.

Why did this have to happen?  Why was her run to hugs and kisses ruined in such a cruel way?  Could any of us stopped it?  And then … Where was God?

We’ve probably all groaned that question out at one time or another, “Where are you, God?”  It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we should somehow be saved from the evils of this world because we are believers.

Psalm 22:1 – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?“

Years ago, I read an article written by a Pastor who had lost his son in a car accident.  He had a crisis of faith afterwards.  His why’s were even more intense.  After all, he had been doing God’s work and yet his son was still taken.  What came to him after a long time of anger and prayer was the realization that God was mourning right along with him.  God was also heartbroken that His precious man-child had lost his son.  He sure didn’t cause the accident and no, He didn’t stop it either.  But He was mourning right next to the pastor and aching that this world had taken the precious son (He certainly knows what that is like).

JeffGoulden

That article has stayed with me all these years.  It has helped me whenever I find myself in a “Why, God!?” situation.  God gave not only we believers free will, but EVERYONE free will.  And sometimes that causes some less-than-ideal circumstances.  Not that our sweet little granddaughter made a bad decision to run to us with love, but perhaps whoever installed a metal rail in the middle of a walkway that blended into the surroundings did?

James 1:2-3 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

The days that followed were a struggle.  Our little pixie retreated into herself and stopped talking, only answering our questions with a tiny shake of her head.  Her brother was upset by the fact his sister wasn’t her usual bubbly self and that she had changed into someone he didn’t recognize.  And her poor mom (who had witnessed the accident) was a mess of flashbacks and “why?” and “what if it had been worse?” thoughts.

John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

As we all struggled to make sense of the accident, we were forced to search our hearts, search our faith, and to trust our Lord in a deeper way.  I think that is the one benefit that comes when something like this happens.

• In Numbers 11:11, Moses asked, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant?”
• In Psalms 10:1, David asked, “Oh Lord why do you stand far off?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”
• Job asked, “Why have you made me your target?” Job 7:20
• Even Jesus on the cross asked God “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

We are not alone in asking the “Why?” questions of God.  And He has answers when we pause long enough to ask.

Our little granddaughter will eventually be fine.  Her forehead was stitched shut and she will have quite a scar (and a story).  She has popped back faster than any of the adults did.  Her faith comes from the sweet innocence of a child.  Ours was forged in fire and trials and tribulations (and continues to be).  This last trial was a doozy, but I’m happy to say that we came through with a new respect for life and the realization that we have an unquenchable need for the Lord.

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Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.

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When I walked through the front door, I reached into my bag for my phone, only to come up empty-handed. No big deal, I thought. My bag has become something of a black hole over the years. Surely it had just slipped to the bottom beneath a collection of receipts, chapstick, pens that no longer write, and whatever little treasures Penny has convinced me to carry around for her.

So, naturally, I dumped the entire contents of my bag onto the kitchen counter. While I didn’t find my phone, I did uncover a pair of sunglasses I had been convinced disappeared weeks ago, so it wasn’t a total loss. But after checking every pocket, every zipper, and every hidden compartment, it became clear my phone wasn’t in there.

Next came the car. Then every room in the house. I retraced my steps with the determination of someone solving a mystery, checking countertops, side tables, bathroom counters, and even places that made absolutely no sense. Finally, it hit me. My phone was sitting exactly where I had set it down earlier that morning—on my sister’s kitchen counter.

That’s when the panic set in.

What was I going to do without my phone? How would I contact anyone? What if there was an emergency? What if, for some completely irrational reason, the world fell apart while I was unreachable? I don’t even have a landline anymore, although I have to admit, this experience made me briefly consider bringing one back.

Thankfully, I remembered computers still exist. I messaged my sister, who quickly confirmed that yes, my phone was safely waiting for me. Being the wonderful sister she is, she immediately offered to drive it over, but since we were already planning to have dinner together that evening, I figured I could survive a day without it.

And so, I found myself asking a question I never expected to ask in 2026: What exactly do you do with an entire day and no cell phone?

Olga Ionina

Originally, Penny and I had planned to run a few errands, but if I’m being honest, I felt strangely uneasy about driving anywhere without my phone. Which is funny, because I spent nearly all of my twenties doing exactly that. If I got lost, I used a paper map. If my car broke down, I found a payphone. If I was running late, people simply waited. Somehow we all managed just fine.

I was born in the late seventies and grew up through the eighties and nineties. I know what life looked like before smartphones. Before Google answered every question in seconds. Before cameras lived in our pockets. Before every spare moment was filled by scrolling through updates from people we haven’t seen in years. And yet somewhere along the way, this tiny rectangle of glass quietly became woven into nearly every part of my daily routine.

So, Penny and I decided to stay home instead.

What surprised me most wasn’t that I missed my phone. It was how often I reached for it without even thinking. Every five minutes my hand instinctively moved toward my pocket. I wanted to check my messages. Scroll through social media. See if I have any emails. Snap a quick photo. At one point Penny asked if it was supposed to be windy all day, and before I could stop myself my mind immediately thought, I’ll check the weather app.

Then I laughed. There was an entire generation of us who only knew the weather forecast because we watched the evening news or read the morning paper. Somehow we survived without hourly updates telling us exactly when the wind would die down.

Later that afternoon we went for a walk, and that’s when I noticed something else. Normally I would have taken pictures of Penny skipping down the trail or stopped to identify a flower with Google or looked up the name of a bird we heard in the trees. Instead, we simply walked. We talked. We noticed the things around us without feeling the need to document them.

I’ll admit, it felt a little like I was missing a limb—which is probably being a bit dramatic—but it also made me realize just how integrated this little device has become in my everyday life. Not because phones are bad. They’re wonderful tools. They help me stay connected with family, work, capture memories, navigate unfamiliar places, and answer questions in seconds. But somewhere along the way, the tool quietly became a habit, and the habit became something I rarely questioned.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” I’ve always loved that verse, but I wonder if the hardest part today isn’t knowing God—it’s actually being still. Our phones have an incredible ability to fill every quiet moment. Every wait in line. Every stoplight. Every walk. Every few minutes of silence that might otherwise invite us to notice God’s creation, have an unexpected conversation, or simply sit with our own thoughts.

Francesca Leslie

By the time dinner rolled around, I was reunited with my phone. I unlocked it expecting…well, I’m not sure what I expected. There were a handful of text messages, a couple of emails, and a weather notification happily informing me that the wind would calm down around eight o’clock. Nothing life-changing had happened while I was disconnected.

Did I feel a sense of security having it back in my pocket? Of course. Did I also realize life functions surprisingly well without constantly checking it? Absolutely.

There isn’t some profound ending to this story. I didn’t experience a life-changing revelation or decide to throw my phone into a lake and live off grid. I still appreciate the convenience of technology, and I’ll probably check the weather again tomorrow.

But yesterday served as a gentle reminder that when we disconnect from one kind of connection, we often make room for another. A conversation. A quiet walk. A little more noticing. A little more presence.

Not everything needs to be shared. Not every memory needs to become a photograph. Not every question needs an immediate Google search.

Sometimes it’s enough to simply experience the moment exactly as it is.

Who knew forgetting my phone on my sister’s kitchen counter would send me back to the “dark ages” for a day?

Turns out, they weren’t so dark after all.

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Read more of Joanna’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.

But even in the unpredictability, the drizzle, the sunbreaks, the “is this warm or just less cold?” moments, God is right here with us, weaving joy into the everyday chaos.

We don’t need a perfect devotional setup to experience God. He meets us in:

• The foggy morning walks with coffee in hand
• The kids running wild at the park the moment the sky clears
• The “Mom!” call moments that happen throughout the day
• The car on the way to baseball tournaments, soccer matches and gymnastics camp

Lower the Bar, Raise the Joy

Summer doesn’t need to be a curated Instagram grid. It just needs to be yours. Embrace the simple and the loud; these moments will fly by…trust us.

Some days you’ll plan something amazing. Some days you’ll hand your kids a hose to water the garden and call it “water play.” Both count.

Try simple things like:

• Backyard campouts (bonus points if you actually sleep outside)
• Family bingo challenges to get everyone off screens [Text BINGO to 89419 for a free bingo card!]
• Easy service ideas like dropping off treats to neighbors or serving in a food pantry

No perfection required — just presence.

Family Summer Activity List

Outdoor Adventures (for when the sun finally shows up)

• Neighborhood Nature Walk — Look for God’s creativity in flowers, bugs, clouds, and “mystery plants.”
• Backyard Water Day — Hose, inflatable pool, sprinkler, done.
• Park Picnic + Devotional — Pack snacks, read favorite verses and talk about it, let the kids run wild.
• Family Bike Ride — Bonus points if you stop for ice cream.
• Sunset Gratitude Walk — Everyone shares one thing they’re thankful for.
• Scavenger Hunt — These are so much fun!

 Rain‑Friendly Fun (because… you know)

• Family Movie Night — Build a blanket fort and pick a family‑friendly film.
• Indoor Scavenger Hunt — Kids LOVE this and it burns energy.
• Baking — Bake cookies together and share favorite memories.
• Board Game Marathon — Winner picks dinner.
• DIY Craft Hour — Keep it simple: paper, markers, glue.
• Do a Craft Together — DIY Fun Felt Craft

 Faith‑Building Moments

• Verse of the Week — Put it on the fridge, memorize it, and talk about it at meals.
• Prayer Walk — Pray for neighbors as you stroll.
• Service Saturday — Pick one small way to bless someone.
• Gratitude Jar — Add notes all summer long for things you’re grateful for.
• Create a Praise Journal — We have one here!

 Just‑for‑Fun Memory Makers

• Backyard Campout — S’mores required, actual sleeping outside optional.
• Family Bingo Challenge — Complete squares all summer.
• Library Adventure Day — Everyone picks a book, then grab a milkshake afterward.
• Ice Cream Taste Test — Buy 4 different-to-your-family ice-cream flavors and declare a family favorite.
• Photo Scavenger Hunt — Capture fun moments in your yard or neighborhood.

Summers can be loud and messy, but your daily presence is the anchor your family feels. Take care of yourself and take breaks when you can… 5 minutes in the bathroom for a little space counts! Give yourself grace, breathe deep, and remember that God delights in your everyday faithfulness. He will give you what you need for the day – Lean into Him. You’re doing better than you think.

A Summer Prayer

“Lord, help us find joy in the chaos, rest in the small moments, and grace for ourselves and each other. Let this summer be full of laughter, connection, and reminders that You’re with us in every moment — even the soggy ones.”

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“The American flag represents all of us and the values we hold sacred.”
– Adrian Cronauer

America is about to celebrate a huge milestone. That’s right, our nation’s 250^th Birthday is right around the corner! Parades, barbecues, and fireworks are about to take center stage and a great way to get in the 4^th of July spirit is with this fun, American Flag Paper Plate craft! It requires simple supplies and its streamers waving in the wind will add a patriotic splash to your celebration. My kids loved making their flags and plan to give some out to relatives to brighten up their homes this 4^th of July.

Here’s what you’ll need to create a red, white, and blue paper plate flag:

• White paper plates (I used heavy duty so they wouldn’t bend)
• Glitter scrapbook paper (white or silver for the stars)
• Hole punch
• Twine
• Glue stick or glue dots
• Stapler
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Blue craft paint
• White and red streamers
• Ruler
• Paint brush sponges
• Star to trace with (I drew my own on construction paper and cut it out, but you could use a small star cookie cutter!)

Maria Magee

Directions:

First, make your star or use a cookie cutter to trace stars onto the glitter paper. I folded my scrapbook paper so I could get more stars out of each cut.

Maria Magee

Next, flip a paper plate over and using your ruler, trace a line right down the middle. Cut it in half. This will give you two flags.

Maria Magee

Using the paint sponges, paint your plate blue.

Maria Magee

Once it’s mostly dry, use the glue dots or glue stick to place your stars.

Maria Magee

Cut your streamers whatever length you prefer. Alternate the red and white to resemble the stripes on our flag and staple them to the plate.

Maria Magee

Use the scissors to cut them in half length-wise to make more “stripes”. This will make them flow beautifully, too!

Maria Magee

Finally, punch a hole in the top of the plate and tie the twine through it. Now you can hang up your flag and let it fly in all its glory this 4^th of July!

Maria Magee

I hope you and your kids (or grandkids) have a blast making these paper plate flags, and that they make your 4^th of July even more special!

As the fireworks and American flags fly this 4^th, lets appreciate this incredible country that we are so blessed to live in and the brave men and women who defend it. Here’s to the American heroes past and present, who have made this a nation worth fighting for and have provided us the freedom we have today.

For more 4^th of July activity ideas, check these out!

• 4th of July Craft, Book, and Snack
• Celebrate the 4th of July with a Quick DIY Craft, Tasty Snack, and Great Read for Kids!

Happy 4^th of July and God Bless America!!!

“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” -Abraham Lincoln

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Read more of Maria’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.