Jesus Calling - June 2

I must confess, it was not as simple to think of a craft to go with today's devotion. I guess that's why God had us start the blog yesterday. Today's devotion wandered briefly over many topics, focusing mainly on putting ourselves in God's presence, and settled on Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God."* The kids and I discussed what would help us feel at peace and focused on God. We talked about needing to involve all our senses (taste and smell being integrally linked, no licking this craft item). Off I went to raid the craft stash for soft items along with card stock and tacky glue. Then I turned the kids loose.

Flannel, velvet ribbon, feathers, cotton balls and pipe cleaners

Here are my and my daughter's results:

Psalm 46:10

(I will spare you the flannel board Mayflower story created by my son. It's really creative, but not exactly on topic. However, we did discuss that the Pilgrims came to the United States for the freedom to worship God.)

To summarize the basic steps:

1. Think of a symbol that reminds you of God when you see it. Draw it on card stock and cut it out. (For young children you could have several choices such as a heart, cross or dove precut.)

2. Trace your symbol on felt, cut it out, and embellish as desired. ALTERNATIVELY decorate your card stock shape with soft items that will help you feel calm when you feel them.

3. Add a tiny drop of lavender oil to the felt shape to smell as you breathe calming breaths.

4. Sit with your object in the quiet near an open window to hear the sounds of God's creation. ALTERNATIVELY listen to calming music to put yourself in God's presence. What does He have to tell you today?

*for the curious, we are using the Hands On Bible, New Living Translation 2nd edition that was given to my son by our church when he was in second grade. It is well loved!