Raising Catholic Children:
Eight Small but Beautiful Ways to Welcome God
into Your Family Life, All Year Round
If
you are raising Catholic children,
you probably have a never-ending list of ways
to invite God into your lives. Unfortunately,
it isn’t always possible to do everything.
There is pressure to help your child excel in
sports, academics, their talent, and so much
more. It may seem like you have no time to cultivate
their relationship with God. However, welcoming
God into your family life doesn’t need to be
complicated.
Here are small yet beautiful ways to do it.
1.
Pray
If you have a guest in your home, talking to
them is the best way to ensure that they feel
welcome. The same applies to God. Do not wait
until you get to church. Pray in the morning,
before meals, and before going to bed. Pray
together just as much as you make individual
prayers.
Acknowledge
God’s blessings over your life and give thanks.
If you need something as a family, come together
and
pray about it
too. Invite God and the Holy Spirit to come
into your home and bless your lives. Children
learn from you. They will pick up the praying
habit sooner than you expect.
2.
Eat Together
Meal time should be family time. Make an effort
to get together around the table and enjoy each
other’s company. It is a great way to build
your bond and increase love in your home. It
can be the time to share your fears, accomplishments,
and goals.
3.
Acknowledge God
You can bring God into your family life by acknowledging
Him. Acknowledge His presence, might, and goodness
often. Let your family know that the Holy Spirit
is always present.
Use examples of the beautiful seas and majestic
mountains to arouse the feel of wonder for God
and all His creation.
The beauty of nature is always a powerful tool
when you need to put things in perspective for
your kids. Give your kids opportunities to spend
time in nature and environments that showcase
God’s power.
4.
Choose
a Family Nativity Set to Treasure Year After
Year
The nativity scene has become a Christmas tradition
for many Christian families. It dates back centuries
and could be part of your family’s tradition.
If you are interested in nativity sets,
one source that we have found in particular,
which is both genuinely Catholic and sells elegant,
but reasonably priced Catholic statuary together
with a broad range of Catholic goods is
House of Joppa.
Whether you are looking for something ornate
or simple, there is quite a variety to choose
from.
5.
Read Scriptures Together
You can invite God into your family life by
reading the Bible
together. It teaches your loved ones to apply
Catholic religious teachings in their daily
lives. Scriptures are God’s way of communicating
with you and your family. You don’t need to
read an entire chapter every day. A short verse
every morning is enough to keep you connected
with God.
6.
Make Some
Room for God
Your home needs to be a reflection of your faith.
When people get into
your space,
they should know that you are Catholic. You
could have a simple cross on your wall or a
special prayer corner.
Make your home the ideal space for worship and
thanksgiving. Your children need to see reminders
of your faith all through the home. Even though
God doesn’t need physical space to stay with
you, children need reminders to keep trusting
and worshiping God.
7.
Express
Love
Love is a critical element of the Christian
faith, and your kids need to learn it at home.
Expressing your love for one another often brings
joy and a sense of togetherness. God instructs
Christians to love each other; home is the best
place to start.
8.
Give
to Charity Together
Small acts of charity or service to others can
bring you together as a family. You can donate
your clothes to the needy, volunteer at a soup
kitchen, or help clean up the neighborhood.
Such activities bring your family together and
please God.
If you are trying to bring God into your family
life, there is a lot to do. Consider the above
tips and raise Catholic children that love God
and the church. You don’t need to do anything
extreme. Turn simple habits into routine, and
your kids will stick with them.