The 30 Day "Come & See God" Challenge: Teaching Our Children about God through His Creation

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

-Romans 1:20

My two-year-old daughter has recently started wanting her own money. I think she understands that it holds value and, well, it's shiny and pretty to hold and count. She's also become a little stingy with her pennies. No, she doesn't want to buy anything with them; she just wants to put them in her wallet and know they're there.

"Mine's. Kate's money," she shouts as I attempt to pick up the coins she has dropped on the floor, right in the path of baby sister.

"No, Kate, that money belongs to God. It is God's money, not yours. Everything we have--our money, this house, your toys, my clothes--comes from God and belongs to God. He is the source of all our possessions," I very calmly try to tell her.

After our discussion my daughter begins announcing that she has "God's money" and that her coins "belong to God." A little too proudly, I patted myself on the back and went on my way. I felt pretty good about our first money lesson and my child's receptive response.

But as I have been thinking about that day and as I've read and reread Sally Clarkson's chapters on "The Gift of Inspiration" in The Ministry of Motherhood, I have felt a little ashamed. My daughter knows her colors, shapes, numbers and can even identify all the letters of the alphabet. She knows many Bible stories, who Jesus is, and understands, in a childlike way, that God is everywhere. She knows that God created the world in six days and that on the seventh day He took a nap.

Yet, when have I ever said, "Come! Look! See that beautiful flower? God made that! God is amazing, isn't He?"

It's a shame, I know. As adults, we have become so desensitized to everything; there is nothing new under the sun, as Solomon said. We're so busy rushing from one activity to another that we never take the time to slow down and look at a beautiful flower. I mean really examine it and see God in its design. Instead, we yawn and rush back to our TV programs. "It's just a flower," we say.

Let's be honest: I'm guilty.

But for our children, the wonders of nature are new and exciting. They are also the perfect opportunities to share who God is and what He has done.

So, beginning today, I am starting a personal challenge. Why? Because I want my children to know God and to see Him in His creation and because I want to slow down and really see Him again.

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it:

For the next 30 days, look for God in creation and show your children. Talk about what you find: Take time to talk to them about what you see and find out what they see. Talk about God: His power, His love of beauty, His creativity, His sense of humor, His eye for color, symmetry, and design. Talk to God: Thank Him for His creation and praise Him for His awesomeness.

This challenge means having eyes like a child and being able to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

It means taking time to look closely and to truly marvel at the works of God's hands.

It means finding God in places you would never have expected.

I will be posting a new picture of what we find each day for the next 30 days, and I invite you to link up and post yours, too.

Will you take the 30 Day "Come & See God" challenge with me? I hope you will!

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

Psalm 19:1

This post is linked to Women in the Word Wednesdays at www.goodmorninggirls.org.