God is With You

September 5, 2021

When my family moved 3 years ago, we didn’t know what was ahead of us. Different jobs for my wife and I, a different school for our kids, and a different city with different experiences for all of us. But we knew that God was calling us to this new place, and we had a deep sense of peace, because we knew God was with us on this journey.

God is with us and our kids wherever we go. In difficult times, God is there watching over us and guiding us. In great times, God is there celebrating and providing for us. Even in the mundane times of life, God is with us teaching us and growing us through our daily tasks. As parents, one of our tasks is to help our children develop eyes to see that God is with them wherever they go. Here are some tips for how you can help your child spot God at work in their lives.

1. Read the Bible together. As we read God’s word, we begin to see themes that run throughout all of scripture; and we will also begin to see those themes in the world around us. As our children learn more about God’s love, grace, and forgiveness for his people in the Bible, they will begin to see God’s love, grace, and forgiveness for them and for the world around them.
2. Help your child spot God in the midst of major life events. Whether it is a graduation, a major falling out with friends, or a life shifting move, it is important to help our children process major life events. During moments of major transition or change, a child can feel very alone and isolated. Let them know that you are with them and that, even when you can’t be physically with them, God is always there. Talk to your child about how they can pray to God at any time, anywhere.
3. Encourage your children to face difficult things and ask questions of you and God. Our children are more resilient than we think. Commit to walking with your children as they experience difficult things, but don’t minimize their challenges or try to always fix things. Encourage them to ask questions. Assure them that God is with them and wants to hear about their difficulties and questions as much as you do.
4. Help your children see God in the ordinary. God isn’t just present in the major events of life or the difficult times. God is present all the time. Pray with your children every morning and teach them to invite God into their day. In the evening around the dinner table or before bed, ask them where they saw God today. Share with them where you saw God as well. Modeling this will help them develop an eye for spotting God every day.

Developing an eye for God’s daily presence in our lives is a process. There will be days that we and our children won’t feel God’s presence. There might even be seasons of life where we struggle to see God at work. But be assured that “the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 3:16). That is an amazing lesson to embrace ourselves and pass onto our children every day.

Want to dig deeper? Check out Family Fire's article "Living Daily with Gratitude".