Our family worship routine varies with the seasons. Some seasons we manage to keep at least a simple evening tradition that involves reading a Bible story, praying and even singing a song together before the kids go to bed. Many other seasons, we fall out of the family worship habit.
The seasons that focus more on God are always my favorite; the others are... meh. Nothing epic. Mostly because there is a noticeable difference in our family when we regularly actively seek God and when we don't. Jesus said, "seek and you will find," so what does it say about our family in those seasons when we're not seeking?
Ezra proclaimed a fast to humble themselves before God to seek from Him "the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions." (Ezra 8:21) I love that distinction between "us" and "our little ones," and that simple inclusion of "all of our possessions," because it matters that we bring each of these concerns before God.
They needed protection where they were crossing, but Ezra was ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers and horsemen. They had already told the king, "The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him." (Ezra 8:22)
Basically, the king knew them to be seekers of God so they had nothing left to do but to actually and actively seek God.
Maybe a little bit to save face.
So, they fasted and entreated God for protection and direction.
en treat v : to plead desperately; to beg for something, often repeatedly.And after they desperately and repeatedly sought God--He answered their prayer. (Ezra 8:23)
I want that for my family.
I want my family to desperately and repeatedly seek God. To humble ourselves before Him and to always and continually seek His way for us, our growing kids, and even our possessions. I want the wild and crazy answers and movement that His response to this seeking results in.
I want us to find.
So, ever so slowly we are figuring out how to make this happen for us. Daniel and I have entreated God recently as we stepped in faith believing God as described in >> this post. But I want to start getting the kids more involved and instead of making a sometimes-once-a-day-if-we-have-time-for-it routine, I want us to continually throughout each day seek God.
Morning, noon, and night.
On a daily basis, when we're simply seeking direction for today and not some monumental life decision, this seeking doesn't have to be all fasting and candles and prayer vigils. In fact, I'd rather it more often be a little more routine and common than that.
As common as my morning routine of waking Brylee up and getting her breakfast. As comfortable (and maybe a little chaotic) as our family meals. Because faith is beautiful in the daily mess, you know? And as recurring as our goodnights.
Simply praying together in the car as we drive Brylee to school and Daniel to work to start our day with Godly focus. Talking through the highs and lows of our days, and taking them to God with and for each other. Regularly talking about how God might be leading us to better love those around us, then challenging each other in following through. Routinely reading His truth over breakfast or before bed.
These are the rhythms I pray continue to grow for my family. Like Ezra and Daniel and Jesus and so many courageous and faithful people before us, that we will regularly and continually and desperately seek God. Make Him our focus. And encourage each other in following His lead.
Not as a when-it-happens-on-occasion family worship; but a rhythm of breathe-in-breathe-out-daily-family-life worship.
Because we've told a few people we're Christ-followers, so maybe it's time we really put that into practice.
>>>
also read:
purpose-driven goals for the home
family purpose statement
courageous at home
giving your family to God
