Week 16: You Can Run or Walk—Just Keep Moving! 000
Week 17: There Are No Small Parts in God’s Play 000
Week 18: Follow the Leader 000
Week 19: Rest and Recharge 000
Week 20: I Saw the Sign 000
Week 21: Unfinished Art 000
Week 22: Stop, Think, and Tame That Tongue 000
Week 23: First Things First 000
Week 24: Seeing the Truth 000
Week 25: The One and Only Thing 000
Week 26: Finished and Full of Grace 000
Week 27: Bring On the Winds 000
Week 28: No More Boo-Boos, No More Bandages 000
Week 29: 365 Reasons to Not Be Afraid 000
Week 30: Bloom Where You’re Planted 000
Week 31: Hello, God—It’s Me! 000
Week 32: Never Changing, Always and Forever 000
Week 33: Measuring Up! 000
Week 34: Fenced in Love 000
Week 35: Please and Thank You 000
Week 36: The Name above All
Week 37: You Did It to Me 000
Week 38: Too Good to Hold In! 000
Week 39: The Ultimate Fortress 000
Week 40: Big Things from Little Things 000
Week 41: Don’t Be a Giver-Upper
Introduction
Have you ever watched a tall, towering tree swaying back and forth in the wind? The branches are bowing, but thanks to the sturdy trunk, this tree is not going to fall. Is the strength only from the trunk or possibly from something deeper that can’t be seen? The roots underneath the dirt are the real reason that these tremendous trees can withstand a storm. The roots go deep down into the earth, nourishing and anchoring. The deeper the roots are, the better the tree can grow and thrive.
It isn’t only the trees and plants that need a strong root system. We all do! Life can sometimes feel like a storm, with winds pushing us around and rain washing away our foundations. But, if we are anchored by something deep, those storms won’t bring us down.
God wants us to grow deeper in our understanding and love of Him. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us, “…grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (New International Version). And who better to do this with than your family? While reading each week’s devotion, answering the questions, and working on the activities, you and your loved ones can grow closer together and closer to your loving, heavenly Father. Remember, God doesn’t want you to just survive and weather the storms, He wants you to thrive. As you dive into these pages, I
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
—Philippians 4:13 (New Living Translation)
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
Walloping Waves and God’s Grip
What do you love about going to the beach? Ice cream cones piled a mile high? Playing Skee-Ball up at the boardwalk? Building sandcastles day after day? How about jumping in the wild, walloping waves?
It can be so fun to play in the waves. Sometimes, the water is clear and calm, and you can enter slowly without getting smacked and knocked down. Other times, the waves are so powerful and persistent that you must reach out and ask someone to hold your hand so you can safely swim. And when you’re being held, and the sea gives its worst, with its swirling, sneaky swells, you still might
strong grip holding your hand only gets tighter. You can feel safe amid the troubled waters that surround you.
In life, you may feel like you are in troubled waters at times, but you are never alone. God’s strong hand is holding you amid new friendships, cross-country moves, and sports wins and losses. He has been guiding you, leading you, and securing you to Him with each of your ups and downs. As you face them, remember—He loves nothing more than for you to come to Him, reach out, and say, “God, I need you!”
When the troubled waters rise, and you suddenly get smacked by a walloping you go.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your strength when I am weak. You never let go, even when the water smacks me down and I have trouble getting back up. Help me rely on You when I am in trouble and know You are always calling out to me, “Come, my precious child.”
In Your name we pray, Amen.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITY | Egg Drop
Grab an egg and collect a small pile of household items, like tape, paper, hand towels, cardboard, bubble wrap, etc. As a family, work together to safely wrap the egg in the materials, creating a protective encasement around the egg. Once you feel the egg has been fully secured, have one family member lift it high and release it, dropping it on the ground. Carefully unwrap it to see if the egg is still intact. (If the egg broke, retry this exercise with a new egg, adding new protective items until you’re able to drop it without it breaking.)
Once you’re able to drop the egg without it breaking, talk about this as a family: without God, we are like an eggshell, fragile and easily broken. But when we ask God for protective reinforcement, we can give thanks knowing no matter how far we fall down, He will always be there to pick us up again.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Have you ever been hit by a big wave?
What makes you feel safe when you are in the water?
In life, do you ever feel like you’ve been smacked down by a big, invisible wave? How can you walk more in faith this week, knowing He is always holding you close, especially during these difficult moments?
