A Spiritual Practice for Kids (& Adults Alike!)
When we teach children (and ourselves) to be reflective, to be self-aware, to notice all the little specks of love all around them—in nature, in each other—they grow spiritually. They learn how to recognize their emotions and move through them, and sustain hope for a better tomorrow, knowing there’s something bigger than themselves happening.
I’ve known CEO & President Madison Vulkanblomst her entire life. It was an unusually cold day for Orlando in January on the day she was born. But she has been warming our hearts ever since. One of my favorite practices that Madison’s parents employed for their growing family is the highlight and “lowlight” of the day. I have enjoyed hundreds of meals around their table as an honorary mama to Madison and her four siblings.
During the meal, each family member and guest would take a moment to reflect and share the highlight of their day, as well as a lowlight—something that hurt their feelings or didn’t go well that day. Of course, I’d beam when my presence at the table was someone’s highlight! The wisdom of Madison’s parents is manifold, and I think this practice is among their best.
Long before the idea of sharing “highs and lows” or “roses and thorns,” St. Ignatius of Loyola suggested something similar: an “examen.” Ignatius is the 15th-century founder of the Jesuit Order of priests in the Catholic tradition. His intent was to “examine” your day (at noon and again at night), to help experience God “in all things.”
Self-awareness and awareness of God’s presence are two pillars of spiritual formation. And children are not too young to begin!
There are lots of ways to help children grow spiritually and recognize God’s loving presence in their days. Sometimes, these practices are as relevant for us as they are for children! Here’s one I really like, edited from this site:
Have your child trace their hand. On each finger write the following words.
1. BREATHE
Write the word "breathe," or write a sentence or two to remind yourself to breathe in God's love, and then breathe out, filling the space around you with God’s love. Center yourself and know that God is present. Ask for clarity and understanding.
2. BE GRATEFUL
Draw a smiley face or write the word "gratitude." Or write a few phrases or sentences to remind yourself to think about the specific joys and delights of the day, the moments you are most grateful for. Ask yourself, what am I most grateful for today? Or, if I could relive one moment, what would it be? Or which moment made me most able to offer or receive love? Or what little things did I see/say/hear/feel/experience that made today so good?
3. FEEL
Draw several faces that express positive and negative emotions or write the word "feel.” Or write a few sentences or questions to help you look back at the day and think about what you felt at specific moments—joy, frustration, boredom, anger, compassion, etc.—and what God might be saying through those feelings.
Ask yourself what moment in the day you are least grateful for, a moment when you were least able to give and receive love. Then, ask what was done or said in that moment to make it so difficult and how God might be asking you to respond. Might you feel prompted to be forgiven for a wrongdoing or for the ability to forgive someone else? How might you learn and grow based on the experiences of the day, deepening your knowledge of yourself and your relationships with God?
4. PRAY
Draw two hands together in prayer or write the word "pray." Or write phrases or sentences to remind you to ask God to guide you to pray about whatever it is that God thinks is particularly important. You might simply choose one feature of the day to pray about. You might talk to God about your actions, attitudes, feelings, and interactions and feel spontaneously called to seek forgiveness, ask for direction, share a concern, express thanksgiving, etc. You might discover a particular feeling, person, or moment during the day, that at the time seemed insignificant, now leads you to prayers of adoration, repentance, thanksgiving, or petition.
5. LOOK AHEAD
Draw a sunrise or write the words "look ahead" or "tomorrow.” Or write a series of sentences or questions, such as: “When I think about tomorrow, what joys or challenges come to mind? Am I nervous? Excited? Worried? Why? How might I ask God for help and hope? Might I ask for the forgiveness, protection, wisdom, and gratitude necessary to grow closer to God in thought and deed, being free to choose to follow him?”
