Searching for creative ways to play, pray, and serve with your family this Fall?
Let’s set aside the TV, phones, and other devices because Fall is just around the corner, offering crisp winds, punkin’ patches, football, and fur-lined boots. Yes, please!
Gather the family—whether two or twenty—and choose a favorite activity to boost your time together and with the Lord. After all, a family that serves, plays, and prays together stays together.
Creative Ways to Serve Together
🍁 Host a yard sale and give the proceeds to a church fund, missionary, or charity.
🍁 Donate to a local missions store. Skip the yard sale and spend time together as a family gathering clothes, housewares, and toys to donate. Make plans to stop by for a treat on the way home.
🍁 Treat an elderly or disabled friend to a yard cleanup day. Rake leaves, trim shrubs, or pull weeds. Yard work offers service opportunities for all ages. Want to go a step further? Leave a bucket of mums or another fall floral arrangement behind to brighten their porch.
🍁 Bake pumpkin bread together. Wrap up the loaf and attach a small note with Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the LORD is good.” It’s sure to brighten the day of a lonely neighbor or friend when you hand-deliver it with a smile.
Creative Ways to Play Together
As a family, brainstorm twelve activities that won’t require much prep or money. Write each one on a slip of paper and put it in a “Fall Fun” jar. Draw one slip (or more!) every week and decide the best day to carry it out. Some ideas might be:
🍁 Take a nature walk to engage your senses. What catches your eye? How does a particular leaf feel? (Steering clear of poison ivy, of course! Leaves of three, leave them be. Thank you, Girl Scouts.) What scent fills your senses? What do you hear? (Silence counts!) As you walk, gather color-coated leaves, rocks, acorns, and evergreen branches to decorate your mantle or tabletop when you return home.
🍁 Go on a picnic. Choose a lovely location. Maybe it’s beside a creek, on a mountain, in a park, or your backyard. Children can help plan the menu and prepare the food for the picnic. Or plan to pick up a bucket of chicken. It’s not the food that matters but the memories created. Don’t forget a blanket/tablecloth, utensils, napkins, and bug spray.
🍁 Game night! Whoever chooses this slip of paper can choose which game the family plays. Turn off the TV and turn on the laughter.
🍁 Popcorn & Puzzles. Create a designated table to work on a puzzle throughout the fall season. On the nights this slip of paper is drawn, plan to serve popcorn, lemonade, or any family favorite food/drink.
Creative Ways to Pray Together
Teaching our children that meaningful prayer can be simple and enjoyable is a gift they will carry throughout adulthood. Here are a few ways to get the creative juices flowing when praying as a family:
🍁 Walk & Pray. Before you set out as a family, discuss various ways to pray for your neighbors, such as God’s blessings, God’s healing, for them to draw closer to God, for wisdom as a family, etc. Perhaps some neighbors need specific prayer. Share how God is the only One who truly knows what each person or family needs but that He honors our desire to pray for them. Then, take a walk around your neighborhood. You can pray quietly as you pass neighbors’ homes or silently while keeping your eyes open. This helps children to learn that while closing our eyes during prayer helps us concentrate, it’s also okay and biblical to pray with our eyes open.
🍁 Journal as a family. Purchase or create journals for every person in the family. Set aside a few minutes each night to journal together. Consider lighting gas logs or candles while you write. Younger children will enjoy coloring during their time. Setting aside fifteen minutes each night (or weeknights/weekends only) will help develop a pattern that will bless your children for many years to come.
🍁 Create a prayer board. Hang a designated “Prayer Request Chalkboard” in an accessible place in your home. When prayer requests arise, write them on the board and pray for them after dinner.
In a culture defined by division, intentionally creating togetherness is refreshing.
So, what idea could be added to the above list, and/or which one will you try first? We’d love to know!
I hoped to grab a quick breakfast on the road so we could arrive at our family vacation spot earlier than expected, but Brian insisted we take advantage of the free breakfast at our hotel. (Brian also insists I missed my calling as an industrial engineer because I naturally gravitate to saving time. *wink*)
We took the stairs instead of the elevator on our way back to the room. (Trust me when I say you don’t want to join me in a confined space.) In a blink of an eye, the rubber tip of my shoe kissed the edge of the stair step, and down she went. It wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was downright painful from the get-go, but we enjoyed our vacation only to find out later I’d broken the shoulder socket.
One doctor appointment after another quickly ensued, leaving me exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Every week required a different appointment, a follow-up call, or a notification that a new bill had landed in MyChart. I needed restorative time with God but struggled to create it.
One night, however, while taking Henry the Doodle for a walk outside, it felt like the sky was magnetic. I couldn’t help but look up. And when I did, God used the glorious backlit heavens to remind me of His vast love, faithfulness, and purpose in every detail sifted through His hands for my good and His ultimate glory.
Threads of God’s restorative power began weaving its healing power through a weary soul that night.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
Jesus created restorative time with God, and we can too.
When people or circumstances look for us at every corner of our day, we can look up and find help in Christ. In my featured article on the Dawn app this week, I share how Jesus exemplifies this beautiful connection after experiencing an onslaught of expectations from those around Him. Hop over and join me there. It’s a short read, but one I pray will stick with you on those days when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
When was the last time you felt sought after by either circumstances or people and how did God help you?
I’m convinced that my thoughts sleep during the day so they’ll have abundant energy to run laps at night.
Not so long ago, I went to bed at 9, or at least the body went down for the count. My mind, however, buzzed. I usually stay in the bed, hoping to fall asleep, but this time, I got up and pulled out a journal. It was midnight. After a brain dump, it became apparent that all the thoughts pointed back to one subject, which started to unfold with the first line:
Lord, I feel like I’m walking on a tightrope in so many ways these days.
Following the first line:
specific ways I felt tension between the thoughts I am thinking and those I want to think.
recent disappointments that weighed heavier than I realized.
lies I knew were from the enemy (nothing crushes Satan’s lies like being exposed to light!).
Psalm 139:23, 34 (Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.) I often start my Psalm 46:10 time with God using this verse. Only He knows what true motives lurk behind good intentions, often unbeknownst to me. I trust Him to reveal what thoughts need repentance and forgiveness.
After writing out the Psalm 139 verses, I jotted down questions for God, revealing places in my heart where I’d sought validation in someone other than Jesus.
I ended the entry after 1 a.m., asking Him to help me be who I can’t be without Him, to refresh my mind and soul, and to breathe life into the empty places. I returned to bed and fell right asleep.
But more importantly, the revelation of misguided validations began a sweet conversation with the Lord that still continues today. The Holy Spirit alerts my spirit when I start to lean in the wrong places, gently nudging me back into His arms.
Sometimes what keeps us awake points us back to one thing.
Other times, multiple thoughts twist as tightly as a tornado.
Whatever the reason for our restless thoughts, finding ways to tuck them in for the night is sure to help us move the needle in the right direction.
Lately, I’ve started spending 5-10 minutes just before bedtime, jotting down every thought swirling around in my brain. It doesn’t matter if it makes sense. Thoughts like what I need to do the next day, the one thing left off the grocery list, or wondering if what I said to someone earlier that day came out as intended.
Some other ways that help put the mind to rest at bedtime include:
Know my caffeine cut-off time.
Turn off social media an hour or two before bedtime.
Try to resolve any lingering issues with others before bedtime. Even if it’s a quick text to a friend saying you’d like to catch up with her tomorrow. That one simple step helps to topple the pressure off the heaviest of hearts.
Pray aloud. Hearing the words we speak to God, along with Holy Spirit silence sandwiched in between, adds a layer of peace even the warmest of blankets can’t provide.
Read a scripture verse out loud and pray it back to the Lord. For instance, Proverbs 3:24 says, When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” There’s no right or wrong way to pray the verse back, but one way might be, Lord, thank You that I don’t need to be afraid when I lie down tonight. Your faithfulness and love hold me fast and my sleep will be sweet tonight. I praise You and thank You.
Keep a “jot-it-down” journal by your bed, along with a pen, to add anything to your list that resists the command to flee! (If you subscribe to the Creative Pauses from The Tiny House on the Hill monthly letters, prepare for a blessed inbox today. You’ll find a monthly calendar of bedtime scripture verses and a bedtime “giveaway”.)
If the thoughts that keep you awake center around a particular issue, consider reaching out to a trusted friend or Christian counselor for prayer and a listening ear.
Do you also struggle to put your mind to rest at bedtime? What are some thoughts that keep you up at night? I welcome the opportunity to pray for you, as I pray for myself, at bedtime. If you’d like, please share your name in the comments.
Do you know someone else who struggles to put their mind at rest at bedtime? Feel free to share this post with others!
Maybe you spotted our current gift for new subscribers, What to Pray for Room-by-Room? Together, we’ll walk through the rooms of your home as I share ideas on ways to pray for you, your family, guests, and even strangers. You’ll find the new subscriber box at the top of the sidebar. Of course, you can unsubscribe at any time, but we hope you’ll feel right at home here in The Tiny House on the Hill.
Daring to step outside our comfort zones to talk with God reminds us how the faith walk is an adventure that was never intended to be squirreled away for safekeeping. It is flowing, never static. A verb, not a noun. In him, we live, and move, and have our being. (Acts 17:28)
In a recent Instagram post, Stephanie Smith (@stephduncansmith), shared this:
“Martin L. Smith, an Anglican monk, wrote a wonderful book on prayer The Word is Very Near You. In his chapter entitled “God is a Conversation,” he observes that we do not imitate prayer. Instead, we are invited to join a conversation that is already underway between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.”
So where can we join in the conversation this Spring?
A local coffee shop.
If the aroma and promise of “happy juice” (as my husband refers to coffee around here) aren’t enough to draw you in, step through the doors and let prayer be your guide. Ask the Holy Spirit to prompt you on how to pray for those seated around you, for the Baristas, for the woman seated in the corner, staring outside the window. With your intentional heart of prayer engaged, something much sweeter than foam swirled in a fancy design will waft through the air. (Here’s a post I shared a while back about my own coffee shop experience.)
Take a hike!
In most areas, spring is a perfect time to hit the trails. It’s not too hot or too cold and if we’re lucky, snakes are still hidden away wherever it is they go. Before the first shoe track smacks dirt, let’s jot down five things on the trail to find. And when we do, we can pause for a moment to thank God. Some things to look for on our hike might include a tiny critter, a particular wildflower or butterfly, moss, or a tree leaf.
Gym
Let’s face it, summer is just around the corner. As you walk on the treadmill, lift the weights, or row, row, row your boat, pause to take in your surroundings. Choose three people to pray for silently, trusting He knows their deepest needs. Or blanket the room in prayer as you remember 1 Timothy 4:8 ESV: For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Stargazing
Bundle up, tuck a blanket beneath your arm (or enjoy the leisure of a comfy outdoor chair), and look up! As you do, consider reading the scripture verses below:
He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns midnight into dawn and darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land— the LORD is his name. Amos 5:8
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Psalm 147:4
Gazing into the dark sky, let’s pay attention to how God might be leading us to pray for ourselves and for others. Maybe it’s to remember God’s sovereignty, His creative work, or to be reminded that since He knows the number of stars and calls them by name that He surely knows (and cares about) every detail of our lives.
Strawberry pickin’
Tis’ the season here in the south when we load up the kids, head to a nearby strawberry patch, and hand out cartons to hold the sweet red triangular fruit. The Bible talks about teaching our children as we go and this can happen in a strawberry patch, an apple orchard, a vegetable garden, or anywhere else when we talk about Psalm 34:8, Taste and see that the LORD is good. What personal story of God’s goodness can we share with others and offer prayers of thankfulness as we go?
Do any of the above ideas spark your interest? We’d love to know! Or is there another place, in particular, you enjoy praying during this glorious season? Share below and you’ll be entered in a giveaway for a cup of Starbucks coffee (in case you want to try the first idea.)
I often choose books based solely on what I need or want to learn at the time.
It’s why reading for the simple pleasure of it is a goal this year. Maybe Nancy Mitford says it best, “As far as I’m concerned, all reading is for pleasure.”
Today, I’m sharing both types of reads and I hope you’ll share your favorite(s) in the comment section.
(Note: This post contains affiliate links which simply means I may earn a small commission but it’s at no extra cost to you. Thank you!)
Garden Maker…Growing a Life of Beauty and Wonder with Flowers by Christie Purifoy
Beauty draws me in like a blazing fire does on bitterly cold nights. And Garden Maker is currently lit on my bookshelf. It is marked by beauty both visually and spiritually. Christie snapped all the shots for the book which is impressive as she doesn’t consider herself a professional photographer. But it’s her words I love even more. I’ve been a fan of hers since her first release, Roots and Sky. I also own her second book, PlaceMaker, and both are game-changers. In Garden Maker, her lyrical magic continues, but this time, she also gives practical advice on starting and tending a flower garden. I grew up gardening so I’m reading it more to be inspired by God’s truths displayed on every page in every possible way.
A favorite quote from Garden Maker: “Welcome to the garden. Welcome to this holy work. I understand if you are afraid. The thorns are knife-sharp, and the weeds are always waging their quiet wars. But here is the promise that has been made to each one of us: “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy” (Psalm 126:5). Every garden is singing a song for the One who made us, and we are invited to sing along.”
When Strivings Cease…Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace, by Ruth Chou Simons
You know the saying about how you don’t know how much you need something until you have it? Enter When Strivings Cease. I’m halfway through the book and for good reason. With chapters like “Bent and Broken: Striving to Please” and “The Lunchroom: Striving to Belong”, it’s no wonder the pace has slowed to a savor, much like a fine cup of tea. I thought I knew a lot about the subject of grace but God’s Word and When Strivings Cease reveal I still have a lot to learn…and that’s okay.
A favorite quote from When Strivings Cease: “When we believe an earthly father is available, knowable, inviting and good, we go running to him. We don’t hesitate to pursue a father who welcomes us with open arms, who looks up from his work and really listens, who shows concern when we cry, who holds us when we ache, who’s patient with our petty complaints, and silly stories. In the same way, we go running to God when we believe him to be that kind of Father. But we shy away and guard ourselves more when an earthly father doesn’t pursue us or seems silent. When he is bad at listening or isn’t available. We hide. We stay away. We pretend. What we believe about our Father determines how we come to him—or if we come at all.”
The Lazy Genius Way…Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t, and Get Stuff Done
I’m all about getting stuff done because productivity is my love language — but blind spots exist and it’s why I bought The Lazy Genius Way. I want so badly to be “normal” when it comes to housekeeping. But normal I am not. I never have been. Don’t get me wrong, I love cleanliness and order like anyone else but I don’t see multiple stacks of books, scattered papers lists, specks of dust, or baseboards in need of a fresh coat of paint. To see these kinds of things, and to feel the weight of how I “should” stop what I’m doing to pick up, paint, or do whatever else it is that normal people do, paralyzes me. Kendra teaches her readers how to name what matters to them, and to release the pressure of the rest. Talk about freeing! (By the way, on her podcast last week she spoke on how productivity shouldn’t be the definer of a good day. I almost had to pull over to catch my breath.) I’ve already pre-ordered her latest book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy it Like Never Before. She has fun free stuff on her site for those who pre-order.
A favorite quote from The Lazy Genius Way: “Decide once, on purpose, about everything, from the items in your closet to what’s on your calendar. A single, intentional decision relieves your brain of effort, freeing you to think about what matters to you instead of living in a cycle of choosing this and that over and over again.” Boom!
What’s one book you’re currently reading? What do you like most about it? Share below and you’ll be entered into the Starbucks giveaway for a hot cup of something to enjoy while you read.
Maybe you spotted our current gift for new subscribers, What to Pray for Room-by-Room? Together, we’ll walk through the rooms of your home as I share ideas on ways to pray for you, your family, guests, and even strangers. You’ll find the new subscriber box at the top of the sidebar. Of course, you can unsubscribe at any time, but we hope you’ll feel right at home here in The Tiny House on the Hill.
How would it feel to catch your breath and have it turn into praise this Christmas season?
Because a pause is exactly that ⏤ seeing minutes for what they really are ⏤ moments pregnant with opportunities to draw closer to Jesus.
There are many ways to hit the pause button in December but today, I’m sharing two simple ideas that can be experienced either alone with the Lord, or with others. But first, let’s pray.
King Jesus, our hearts bow before You in reverence and awe of Your choice to come down so that we could one day be lifted up to live with You forever. Cement within our hearts a desire to meet with You, not for the sake of checking off a box, but for the sake of our souls. Awaken within us what has fallen asleep. Revive our hearts. Cultivate a robust faith that hums throughout our days with a fervency that refuses to be snuffed out by the temporal happenings of the world. You are our world. As the old hymn says, let this also be true in our hearts today and forevermore: Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above. Amen.
Pause to Light a Candle
Place one un-lit candle on a table and turn out all the lights in the room. As you sit alone or with others, consider the ways our world would be different had Jesus not chosen to leave His throne to be born in a manger. Take a few moments to share your thoughts with God or with each other. Consider the depth of darkness our world would contain. It would invade our homes and hearts. There would be no hope of salvation or receiving God’s relentless mercy, or forgiveness. We would never know the goodness of our God, or the willingness of our Savior to die on our behalf so that we could live in the light of His grace in the here and now, and for eternity. Let these thoughts settle in your soul for a few moments.
After a time of sharing in the dark, light the candle. As you do, read John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Notice how one candle disperses the darkness around you. As you light candles throughout the Christmas season, remember your moments in the dark and rejoice for your King has come. Jesus is the Light of the World!
While indoors, read Luke 2:8-14 out loud and then step outside. Look up! Depending on the weather, you may see a chalkboard sky with shimmering stars or one curtained by clouds. Either way, imagine for a moment you are a shepherd going about your business when suddenly, an angel of the Lord appears, and the radiance of God’s glory lights up the darkness around you. (I imagine we’d all be startled and afraid as the shepherds were that holy night.) And then, just as you catch your breath, a host of angels illuminate the sky praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased”.
As you look to the sky, marvel at the wonder of God and how he chose to announce His Son’s birth to the simple, hard-working, shepherds.
When you step back inside your home, read Luke 2:15-16 out loud. Talk with God or with others about your own salvation story. Did God use a particular person to lead you to Jesus? Who might He be putting on your heart to share the Good News of the gospel?
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