This week I decided to return to trying to get them to “feel” or “experience” God a bit. So I pulled together a bunch of photos of Lions with their cubs and put them on my phone. That morning I gathered them together in my lap on the floor and showed them the photos. I knew having them sit on my lap and look at the phone would be engaging. They really enjoyed the photos. My youngest exclaimed “Lion!” and my oldest was enamored by the play and affection the Lions showed each other.
I then got up and pretended to pet a giant Lion. Both of them quickly joined in with my youngest exclaiming “Awe Lion” as he was petting our pretend Lion. I told them to imagine that God is this lion. I told them to imagine snuggling with this giant lion, imagine his giant tongue licking them. They laughed at that and I joined in as I imagined the feel of that giant tongue on my face. They quickly began to play like they were cubs and I was the daddy lion but there moments where I saw some things click inside them. My oldest has periodically made reference to this lesson and being licked in the face.
But I want to add that this was not an arbitrary lesson for me but something I was actually doing for a week or two. I was experiencing Jesus as a giant lion, finding rest and comfort as I stroked his fur, nestled my forehead against his huge face and from time to time experienced him licking me and finding myself smiling at that act of affection. This exercise was real for me and I’m hoping it could be for them too.
Raising Gentle Faith 