3
Putt-Putt and Pictures
Grab
Camera
Your daughter’s favorite candies
Car keys
Money
Go
I love putt-putt with my daughter—it’s the one time when I feel like I’m golfing with someone at my level! Travel to a mini-golf course. Let your daughter choose the ball colors for each of you. Have fun taking pictures of each other as you make your way through each hole. Reward yourselves with a piece of candy for each successful putt into the hole. Choose a special prize for a hole in one!
Grow
Did you make a hole in one every time? Of course not! We don’t make a “hole in one” for every situation in life either. It can be hard when we don’t get an A on the test, win the game, or get invited to someone’s party. Sometimes we let our friends down, disobey our parents, and have a crummy attitude. What do we do? Give up and quit playing the game of life? Or go to God for forgiveness and strength and try the “putt” again?
Dad, share with your daughter about a time you failed or let someone down. Explain how God used it to teach you something and what steps you took to make it right.
God is a God of second (and third and fourth and fifth!) chances. Read these verses together:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. (Lam. 3:22–23 ESV)
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. (Ps. 86:5 ESV)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:1–2 ESV)
Dear God,
Thank you for forgiving us for all our sins. Thank you that there’s nothing we could ever do that would keep you from loving us. Thank you for never giving up on us even when we sin over and over again. Help us to learn from our mistakes. Give us the courage to admit when we’re wrong. And help us to come to you for forgiveness and a fresh start every time. We love you! Amen.