The power of ritual is, it can hold you when you can’t hold yourself.
Most parents have some form of a nightly ritual with their small children. They
brush their teeth, put on their pajamas and sit on the side of the bed to talk about
the day. Perhaps there is a story, a song, a prayer, a blessing, a hug. As children
age, this child-friendly routine often fades from the schedule. Stories become less
frequent. The simple, peaceful songs shared between parent and child give way to
isolated iPods and adolescent attitude music. Hugs and blessings may cease. By the
time the child reaches age ten, the ritual might simply be a “goodnight.” By the
time the teen years roll around, many parents feel lucky to get a “goodnight” - let
alone a conversation about the events of their day.
By instilling and installing simple faith practices in the home early enough
and reinforcing them weekly with the accountability of friends at church, open
nightly communication can continue as the norm in family life before the teenage
years hit. Children will be used to talking to their parents. Bringing God into the
conversation, singing and signing the Scriptures, praying and blessing every night
will become a healthy habit. Rather than fading away, these nightly faith rituals can
increase in depth, meaning and value as children age. The caring, consistent “every
night” faith dialogue may become central to family communication and health.
It can help hold a family together in a world that could tear them apart.
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