So this week I decided to tackle the subject of belonging. I wanted them to know that they were connected to each other and to God. I have been inspired by a lot of psychology and Christian writings on this notion of connection and belonging with others and God. I figured I would start with the family as the primary object lesson. So I gathered the family together and I tied a string around my oldest and walked him into the playroom. I told him not to come out until we told him. I led the string back to the living room and then I tugged on the string. I called out to him asking if he felt that? He said yes and I proceeded to tell him that even though he couldn’t see us we were still connected and he could feel us. Then I reeled him in and did it with his little brother. My 2 year old had a little more trouble with the concept but it turned out that later in the week it became a helpful illustration to remind him that he was OK even if we weren’t there.
I then brought them over to the table and drew four bubbles indicating that each represented one of us and had them draw as many lines as they could connecting us in all different ways. Then I drew a circle around all of us and had them connect their extended family. Then another circle indicating the earth and then a final circle encompassing them all, indicating God.
The “string” reference has come up periodically from both of my children and I have intentionally used it a bit. I think its been helpful.
Raising Gentle Faith 