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Video Games
Grab
Video game console
Age-appropriate games
Popcorn
Go
Pop some popcorn, make sure you have some elbow room, and get your game on! Let your daughter choose the first game. Set the appropriate difficulty level for each of you and stay on the same team whenever possible. Set a timer for around twenty minutes per game, taking turns choosing what you will play next.
Between turns, enjoy some popcorn and high-fives for the winner. If you’ve been playing a sit-down game, take a minute to stretch and do some jumping jacks. Keep the focus on the fun rather than the competition. Encourage each other to be flexible and go with the flow if a game is difficult or is not a favorite.
Do you ever get stuck on a game level and have to try it over and over before you finally succeed? That’s a lot like life! The Bible compares our Christian life to running a race or fighting a fight. Sometimes you get really tired and just want to sit down on the side of the track and say “enough!” It can be hard to keep resisting temptation or to keep loving others even when they don’t love us back. It’s hard sometimes to do the right thing when everybody else is just living for themselves. It can be hard to trust in God when we’ve been waiting for an answer to prayer for what feels like forever.
God has great words of encouragement when we just want to quit.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb. 12:1–3)
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isa. 40:28–31)
Dear Lord,
You know that sometimes we get tired and are tempted to throw in the towel. Whether it’s struggling with a sin or getting along with a difficult person, we can’t overcome on our own. Please give us your mighty strength when we are weak. Give us new motivation when we’re ready to quit. Please keep us faithful to the end when we’ll see your face. We love you! Amen.