Today was dreary and grey. A perfect day for sleeping in. The children were little angels (quiet ones) and entertained themselves while Tim and I took advantage of a leisurely Saturday. Rachel was eager to get to the library, where books were being held for her, so she pulled me out of my weekend laziness (it was 11 am by this point) and hijacked a ride. After the library we went to the Y for some exercise. I did 10 minutes on three different elliptical machines, which reveals my strange need for variety. Actually my favorite machine was occupied and it took me a while to drive the riff raff off (those riff raff are everywhere). Rachel and I also tried out the stationary bikes.
Tim and the rest of the children came with the wallyball and set up the net for a friendly family game. I never did get to the weight machines – lost oomph by the time we played wallyball. Tim stayed and continued playing with Joshua and David while I took Daniel, Sarah and Rachel home to make lunch.
Tim was definitely the King of Games today. He played several rounds of Turn the Tide with the boys, Feed the Kitty with the younger set, and then started a game of Life before going to the Y. After wallyball and lunch, Tim and the two D’s picked up their game.
There are actually many Biblical lessons to be learned in The Game of Life (we have the new version).
1) You are required to get married – He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. Proverbs 18:22
2) You are rewarded if you have children – Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Psalm 127:3
3) There are more rewards if you have more children – So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; Genesis 1:27-28a
The other lessons come with the dialogue that accompanies the game. Here are some of the things I overheard this afternoon:
Tim: It’s time to get married, make sure I find Kathy.
Tim: Daniel, are you getting married? Does she love God? Is she kind? Be careful when you pick a wife.
Tim: Okay little children (talking to his blue and pink pegs, riding in his Life car), I want to teach you about God.
Daniel: One of my children turned four and asked Jesus in his heart.
David: My children already know about God. They love Him.
Tim: You taught them about God?
David: Well, I taught them how to read and do math and all about God.
Tim: Do you read them the Bible?
David: Oh yes, every day we read the chapter. At night.
Who knew the Game of Life would provide the opportunity to obey the scriptures.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
In the middle of the game, Daniel asked for a sip of Tim’s diet Coke. Tim has a new rule regarding his precious soda – in order for the children to be granted sips, gulps, or tastes they have to pray for him. Right then and there. No exceptions. I thought it was a very sneaky idea. Tim is greedy that way. You can see, in the picture, that Daniel is just about to pray for Tim.
I need to try that angle with my coffee. Most of the time, with my healthy food choices, the kids aren’t exactly falling over themselves to have bites and tastes.
“What’s that Mom? Oh, steamed kale. Yum. No, thanks, I’ll pass. Daddy, can I have a spoonful of your Nutella?”
Sigh. It’s a good thing they don’t stop and offer me curses instead of prayers, right then and there.
Kathy
Precious blog. I love the verses in Deut.!! You and Tim are doing such an excellent job with making God’s words come to life and be applicable. I applaud you, my dear niece.
Yesterday at the Princesses on Ice deal- jw’s co worker extracted a kiss after wiping 2.5 yr. old Stella’s mouth. It’s a tradition. Very dear.
Love you Edgrens! Aunt Kate
Thanks, Aunt Kate! It’s fun to hear the children pick up the family values and be eager to pass them on.