It’s that time of year again! It’s the start of a new school year! I love this time because we’re getting back to routine and saying goodbye to the erratic summer schedule. I love routine. I like knowing what I have in store for me every day. There’s a rhythm to life. This week as we establish that new rhythm or beat of a new year I ask myself, what I can incorporate into my routine to add to my faith life and the faith development of my family? Thinking of my family, we are good at prayer. We pray before meals and bed. And we’re getting better about praying when we see an ambulance or fire truck. However, where we can grow this year is through devotion time. I would like to add reading a devotional nightly with my kids. How can I do this when I feel like we have less and less time to add anything new? This year I want to focus on the little things that make a big impact. I’m getting rid of the activities that take a lot of time and do very little to grow my faith, my family or my ministry. I want to concentrate on the things that have more significance in the long term but don’t take that much time or effort. So, adding a five to ten minute devotional falls into that category. Over the years when I have taken the time to add a devotional to my life, I find my life more enriched. The group that I have done devotionals with has grown together spiritually as well as emotionally. That’s why I’m excited to add this richer devotional life for my family. I want us to have strong faiths. I want to connect with my children every day. And I want to grow in my relationship with my Lord and Savior. Psalm 1:2-3 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Prayer: Lord, as we start a new school year, help my family to grow in our faith. Walk beside us. Fill us with your Word daily and spend us out into the world to be your people. AMEN. Families with Kids: The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name Grace for the Moment: 365 Devotions for Kids Families with Kids and Teens: Very Best, Hands-On, Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions One God, One Plan, One Life: A 365 Devotional