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Courage to Share Faith with our Littles

Sharing about God and faith with our kids can sometimes feel like a daunting task. I think this is mostly because as mamas we are still working out our own faith. We are all still on the journey of understanding God and seeking that personal relationship with Him. I feel this strong conviction that I must be intentional about teaching my three daughters, but then I have to work out the practical of how to do that.
I had the gift of growing up in a Christian home. My parents were diligent about taking us to church on Sundays. My mom was bound and determined for us to read the bible as a family sometime during the week. We gathered regularly – my mom, my dad, my brother and me – to read a devotional book and look up something in the Bible, but truth be told those family times would often end in yelling and gnashing of teeth. My brother was rambunctious. He and I would fight. My dad wasn’t always engaged. Bottom line: it wasn’t always pretty.
One thing I do appreciate about my mom’s efforts in mandating “family nights” is she taught me the principle of “showing up.” Sometimes as parents we just need to show up and make it happen. We need to set aside perfect expectations and embrace the chaos.
My husband was raised in a family of missionaries. His mama and grandma were amazing storytellers. They had a way of taking stories from the Bible and making them come alive. My husband was a teacher by trade and had a deep desire to teach our girls what he had learned. We would have Sunday family time where he would have the girls act out bible stories or make bible quiz games and pass out quarters for correct answers. I would often watch him in awe and just let him lead. The kids loved it.
Don’t be deceived: those family times were far from perfect. Typically, one of our children would be walking along the ledge of our bed like a balance beam, while another was likely doing cartwheels across the bedroom floor. Someone would be fighting for a costume, someone else melting down. Sometimes it was me. Somehow in the midst of it all, our girls have grown a love for God’s word and just being together.
I have learned that we need to be intentional about creating a space where our kids can learn about the Bible, ask honest questions and journey with us. We need to give ourselves freedom to define that in a way that makes sense for our individual families. Maybe you can find that space in the car on the way to school, at the breakfast table, before bed or another time.
Now that my husband is in heaven I shoulder the responsibility of teaching my girls about Streams-2Bin-2Bthe-2BDesertGod. I felt paralyzed at first. Then I gave myself permission to do two things: keep it simple and use my resources. We don’t have those long extended devotional family times on Sundays like we used to with daddy. Instead we read his favorite devotional book on nights we are home together at dinner. I found a kid version of Streams in the Desert. My girls whined and complained about reading it at first. Then I enlisted my oldest (age 8) to read it aloud. She found new purpose and responsibility in being the reader. She reminds me now when it’s time to read.
We take time to discuss the one-page lesson or principle. My 6-year-old daughter is often picking at something on the table or coloring but somehow she’s still listening and has something insightful to share. There’s a short prayer at the end and we decided to have someone read a few words at a time so my 3-year-old could join us and repeat the words. I love to hear her little voice try to follow along like her big sisters. We all have a part.
The other night my soul soared as I listened to my 8-year-old explain to her siblings (and her mama!) that after hearing the story of David from this devotional that she believed her dad’s death was something God was going to use for good in our lives. She made the connection herself that our grief and hard year was going to be redeemed for God’s glory. Only the Holy Spirit could have done that kind of work in her heart. My job as a mama: showing up.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore is the Coordinator of the Bridge MOPS group. She is a mama to 3 girls, ages 3, 6 and 8. She is published children’s book writer and teacher. She loves encouraging women and sharing about finding hope in adversity.
 
Fave resources for sharing faith with kids:
*The Jesus StorybookBible by Sally Lloyd-Jones –In a poetic and easy-to-understand way, Lloyd-Jones unfolds key Bible stories and how they point to Jesus and salvation. The beautiful illustrations cast the stories in a new and colorful light. This picture book bible is unique because it appeals to all ages from toddlers to adults.
*Streams in the Desert for Kids by L.B.E. Cowman – This daily devotional is based off the timeless devotional for adults but gives a one-page dose with kids in mind that includes a bible verse, story or anecdote and one-line prayer to share as a family. Good for elementary-aged kids and older.
*Heaven for Kids by Randy Alcorn and Linda Washington – This book is great for elementary school and middle school students. It’s written for kids with short chapters and lots of references to the Narnia series to engage kids in questions about faith and heaven.
Image credit: Travis Seitler, Creative Commons
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March 26, 2015 Categories: GeneralTagged: brave, hope, parenting, sharing faith

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Meet Dorina

Aloha, friend! If you love stories, you are in the right place. I write about grief, glory, running, food, and more. I hope these words inspire you to chase after God’s glory in your life today!

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Before Footer

I’ve created this compassionate resource for your personal journey with grief. This book was 8 years in the making and offers a comforting, giftable resource for those who are processing their own loss, whether of a loved one, a season of life, or a dream. Breathing Through Grief includes 25 short devotionals that each focus on a different aspect of grief from my personal experience.

The journal also includes special resources such as:
•
breathing exercises
•
reflection questions
•
soul care tips
•
ample writing space
•
advice on how to talk to children about death
•
suggestions on how to approach triggers
•
creative ways to honor a loved one’s memory

If you or someone close to you is walking through loss⁠, let the comforting words in Breathing Through Grief encourage you with the knowledge that you are not alone and bring you a semblance of peace as you continue forward on the road to healing.

The book releases Nov. 14. You can pre-order today. For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.

View

Sep 21

Open
I’ve created this compassionate resource for your personal journey with grief. This book was 8 years in the making and offers a comforting, giftable resource for those who are processing their own loss, whether of a loved one, a season of life, or a dream. Breathing Through Grief includes 25 short devotionals that each focus on a different aspect of grief from my personal experience.
The journal also includes special resources such as:
•
breathing exercises
•
reflection questions
•
soul care tips
•
ample writing space
•
advice on how to talk to children about death
•
suggestions on how to approach triggers
•
creative ways to honor a loved one’s memory
If you or someone close to you is walking through loss⁠, let the comforting words in Breathing Through Grief encourage you with the knowledge that you are not alone and bring you a semblance of peace as you continue forward on the road to healing.
The book releases Nov. 14. You can pre-order today. For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.
8 1

Last week I embarked on a new adventure. My sister and I were hired as the new chefs for the Open Door Sisterhood retreat in Priest Lake, Idaho. This annual 5-day retreat is part of a year-long experience carefully curated and nurtured by podcast hosts and authors Krista Gilbert and Alexandra Kuykendall. This gathering is designed for professional communicators and business women who want to infuse the hope of Christ into their work.

As I was chopping onions and adding fragrant spices to the pot, I felt great pleasure. My heart swelled with delight as my sister and I showed a small group of women how to roll lumpia just like our Grandma Cora taught us. I experienced joy in serving up Pancit, Bibimbap bowls, Butter Chicken, Pizzelles and Pumpkin tiramisu - all the while sharing the stories of how these foods connect to my family.

I remembered one of my favorite stories in the Bible after the resurrection of Christ. Jesus appears by the Sea of Galilee where his disciples were together. The group heads out to fish, but they don’t catch anything.

The next morning Jesus is standing on the shore waiting for them. He calls out, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

They answer no.

He urges the to cast their nets on the right sight of the boat. The result is a catch of 153 large fish - so many that the net is torn. Jesus urges them to bring the fish for a big fish fry on the shore. “Come and have breakfast.”

None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish (John 21:11-12, NIV)

We see Jesus’s joy in serving them. He takes time to make bread and prepare fish to nourish them well and then send them out. This is the power of food and sharing a meal across the table. It’s nourishment for the body and soul.

🫶🏾 Friend, what about you? Have you ever had that experience of doing something that brought you great joy and blessed others?

{Read the full reflection here: https://open.substack.com/pub/dorinaglorygram/p/follow-the-joy-set-before-you} #foodie #food #cookingtherapy #nourish #lovelanguage #powertothesisterhood #retreat @theopendoorsisterhood

View

Sep 18

Open
Last week I embarked on a new adventure. My sister and I were hired as the new chefs for the Open Door Sisterhood retreat in Priest Lake, Idaho. This annual 5-day retreat is part of a year-long experience carefully curated and nurtured by podcast hosts and authors Krista Gilbert and Alexandra Kuykendall. This gathering is designed for professional communicators and business women who want to infuse the hope of Christ into their work. 
As I was chopping onions and adding fragrant spices to the pot, I felt great pleasure. My heart swelled with delight as my sister and I showed a small group of women how to roll lumpia just like our Grandma Cora taught us. I experienced joy in serving up Pancit, Bibimbap bowls, Butter Chicken, Pizzelles and Pumpkin tiramisu - all the while sharing the stories of how these foods connect to my family. 
I remembered one of my favorite stories in the Bible after the resurrection of Christ. Jesus appears by the Sea of Galilee where his disciples were together. The group heads out to fish, but they don’t catch anything. 
The next morning Jesus is standing on the shore waiting for them. He calls out, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
They answer no. 
He urges the to cast their nets on the right sight of the boat. The result is a catch of 153 large fish - so many that the net is torn. Jesus urges them to bring the fish for a big fish fry on the shore. “Come and have breakfast.” 
None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish (John 21:11-12, NIV)
We see Jesus’s joy in serving them. He takes time to make bread and prepare fish to nourish them well and then send them out. This is the power of food and sharing a meal across the table. It’s nourishment for the body and soul.
🫶🏾 Friend, what about you? Have you ever had that experience of doing something that brought you great joy and blessed others?
{Read the full reflection here: https://open.substack.com/pub/dorinaglorygram/p/follow-the-joy-set-before-you} #foodie #food  #cookingtherapy #nourish #lovelanguage #powertothesisterhood #retreat @theopendoorsisterhood
26 4

I had a fantastic Sunday morning running the Diamond 10k! 🩵💎🦋 The weather was simply gorgeous! I could feel a cool breeze kissing my shoulders (most of the way) on the out-and-back course from the San Joaquin River Parkway Conservatory. My hubby Shawn was the race announcer. The runners got to cross the finish line under a chandelier and sparkly sun rays.

This is one of my fave races because of all the phenomenal women cheering each other on, the beautiful jewelry by Endure Jewelry (instead of traditional medals), and of course, the sparkly donuts. 🍩 🏃🏽‍♀️My friend and race director @sunny.runs always has every detail dialed in to make it a beautiful & community-oriented event! After a long week, this was definitely the breath of fresh air and reset I needed!

#glorychasers #walkrunsoar #eatprayrun #runningmotivation #running #runhappy

View

Sep 18

Open
I had a fantastic Sunday morning running the Diamond 10k! 🩵💎🦋 The weather was simply gorgeous! I could feel a cool breeze kissing my shoulders (most of the way) on the out-and-back course from the San Joaquin River Parkway Conservatory. My hubby Shawn was the race announcer. The runners got to cross the finish line under a chandelier and sparkly sun rays. 
This is one of my fave races because of all the phenomenal women cheering each other on, the beautiful jewelry by Endure Jewelry (instead of traditional medals), and of course, the sparkly donuts. 🍩 🏃🏽‍♀️My friend and race director @sunny.runs always has every detail dialed in to make it a beautiful & community-oriented event! After a long week, this was definitely the breath of fresh air and reset I needed! 
#glorychasers #walkrunsoar #eatprayrun #runningmotivation #running #runhappy
47 2

It was truly my joy to
design, cook, and serve up
11 meals
Over 5 days
Taking 13 women on a
World tour.
Nourishing souls.
Telling stories
through food.

#foodiefriday

View

Sep 16

Open
It was truly my joy to
design, cook, and serve up
11 meals
Over 5 days
Taking 13 women on a 
World tour.
Nourishing souls.
Telling stories
through food. 
#foodiefriday
31 4

📖 Join me today for a verse-by-verse reading and unpacking of one of my favorite psalms! Psalm 139 is a reminder that we are known by God and He is always with us.

Maybe you are feeling lonely today. Maybe you are wondering if He really cares about your grieving heart or sees you in the waiting. These honest and passionate words from David are a honey-sweet reminder that we are never alone.

I personally love thinking about God with knitting 🧶 needles designing and knitting each of us together in our mama’s womb. I love thinking about how with thread and needle 🪡 He hems me in.

🫶🏾What was your fave verse or image from Psalm 139?

#psalm #biblestudy #versebyverse #david #fearfullyandwonderfullymade #knitting #bibleverse #psalms

View

Sep 15

Open
📖 Join me today for a verse-by-verse reading and unpacking of one of my favorite psalms! Psalm 139 is a reminder that we are known by God and He is always with us.
Maybe you are feeling lonely today. Maybe you are wondering if He really cares about your grieving heart or sees you in the waiting. These honest and passionate words from David are a honey-sweet reminder that we are never alone.
I personally love thinking about God with knitting 🧶 needles designing and knitting each of us together in our mama’s womb. I love thinking about how with thread and needle 🪡 He hems me in. 
🫶🏾What was your fave verse or image from Psalm 139?
#psalm #biblestudy #versebyverse #david #fearfullyandwonderfullymade #knitting #bibleverse #psalms
20 6
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