The God-Cloth

A few weeks ago, my 4 ½ year old was busy at the art table.  She was using tape and quietly making something, though I couldn’t see around the corner exactly what it was.  She came out several minutes later, and presented me with a tissue.  It was just a plain tissue, except for the many beads scotch-taped to it.  One piece of tape held down three beads, another encased one bead and still another strained to hold four beads of varying sizes in place.  My daughter presented it to me ceremoniously and announced, “It’s a God Cloth

“Oh!  That’s very nice!  Tell me more about it” I said

“It’s a God-Cloth.” She repeated, with some exasperation, “You put it over your face to pray”.  She demonstrated by holding the bead-side over her face.

So, what do you do when your child hands you a God-cloth to pray in? 

You follow her directions and do it!

As parents who have hopes and dreams for your child’s faith formation, you may feel time slipping quickly by and feel pressured by well-meaning strangers and acquaintances telling you to “treasure every moment!”  However, trying to be, teach and ‘treasure’ every moment with your child is a tall order!  Here’s the good news (and you’re welcome to spread it):  You DON’T have to treasure every moment.  Just treasure the moments that are special to you.  You’ll know which ones they are – the ones that make that little voice in your heart whisper, “stay, and listen!” Trust your instinct, that you will notice these moments and sometimes just being present and a witness to how important it is to your child is enough. 

When I put the “God-Cloth” to my face at my daughter’s request, I was participating with her in her wonderings about God.  I didn’t have to supply answers on the history of prayer aids or supply a specially-written “God-Cloth prayer”.  I didn’t even have to save the God Cloth in that case.  She had moved on and the tissue remained on the counter for a few days before it was filed away in the trash.  Our moment together was enough. Sometimes the best faith lessons do not have words. 

Just be yourself –know that you are enough – and be present to your child around special moments that present themselves.  At that time, take a brief break from stirring mac & cheese, cleaning the toilet, planning out an event or project or Pinterest-ing, and give them your full attention.  Rather than try to make sense out of it, participate in it with them first and be a witness to their wondering.  Let them know that you will always listen to them and let them explore their faith. 

The Lent Tent

You can involve your young children in the liturgical season of Lent by setting aside a space for reflection.  No really!  You can do this by designating a "Lent Tent"

We have a great play tent that a friend gave us, but we could have used a sun shade, a small tent, a box or even a special corner of the house with blankets, pillows and beanbags.   And, the other important supply to make this a place of reflection is to pile all the books that you have on spirituality, God, Jesus, etc. into one place.  Let your child read whatever they want whenever they want in their special space.  They don't have to follow any other special rules - kids have a great way of changing your best laid plans into their version, but let them.  That's where we get to learn from them.  Let your child know that this is a place that will always have a quiet space for them as long as they want it to be quiet (that's up to them) and books galore.  I loved seeing my complete library of spiritual kids books in one place (I have many that are Mustard Seeds books and a few library books that I plan to return to the church library soon). 

My oldest daughter is writing in her journal in this picture and following a modified version of my Lenten Writing Project at www.spirit2spiritwriters.blogspot.com.  She is getting some extra writing practice by committing to write each of the 40 days of Lent.  Today's prompt is a little grownup, so I have given her the prompt: how would you describe God to someone.  If God was a character in a book, what would the description be like?

Now my 7-year-old is reading a book to the 4-year-old that I've been trying to get them to read for months now.  Somehow, sister-to-sister reading is better suited to that book I guess.

Blessings to you as we journey though Lent!