Be The Change: A Grandfather Gandhi Story by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegadus and illustrated by Evan Turk

May 30 

Our choices make a difference to many people and to all of creation that we don’t often think about.  The ways we choose not to waste and not to get angry can affect the whole world!  It’s hard to believe.  We are all connected!  The ways we are all connected to one another and to nature is why our own choices can make a big difference.  I wonder how you can be the change you wish to see.

Daily Prayers

In the morning when we wake up: May today bring joy in new ways. Amen.

At mealtimes: Dear God, thank you for health. Thank you for the earth. Thank you for the hands and hearts that made this food. May the earth and your people be healthy. Amen.

Bedtime: Dear God, thank you for resting from the top of my head down to my toes. Your love will be with me even in my sleep. Amen.

The Good Neighbor- Children of God Storybook Bible

May 29, 2020 God is love. That means, we should be love too. But, what about when someone is mean or a bully. Do we have to love them too? Yes! But, it doesn’t mean we love their actions. We are all children of God. And, all of us children of God do unlovable things sometimes. We should love others and understand that sometimes, we do hurtful, harmful, mean, and not great things. May it be so!

Daily Prayers In the morning when we wake up: May today bring joy in new ways. Amen. At mealtimes: Dear God, thank you for health. Thank you for the earth. Thank you for the hands and hearts that made this food. May the earth and your people be healthy. Amen. Bedtime: Dear God, thank you for resting from the top of my head down to my toes. Your love will be with me even in my sleep. Amen.

Jesus Blesses the Little Children- Children of God Storybook Bible

May 28, 2020 

Our story tells us today that “when we smile, God smiles, when we laugh, God laughs, when we cry, God cries.”  God is with us in all the things!  God cares so deeply for you that God is right with you in all of our feelings.  Did you know that?  God cares so much for all of us that it’s kind of hard to believe!  And, we can see God’s care through others, like Jesus.  Jesus tells the disciples to never turn the children away.  

At Mayflower, there are so many adults that spend time with you, and love you, and smile with you, and cry with you.  They give you care like God would have them do.  I’m so grateful we have those loving folks in our lives that care about all the little children.

Daily Prayers

In the morning when we wake up: May today bring joy in new ways. Amen.

At mealtimes: Dear God, thank you for health. Thank you for the earth. Thank you for the hands and hearts that made this food. May the earth and your people be healthy. Amen.

Bedtime: Dear God, thank you for resting from the top of my head down to my toes. Your love will be with me even in my sleep. Amen.

Jesus Teaches the Secret of Happiness: The Children of God Storybook Bible- Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu

May 27, 2020 

Have you ever thought of yourself as the hands and feet and arms and eyes and heart of God?  Or, have you ever thought of yourself as a light in the world?  That’s kind of funny, huh?  We are always told that we should just be ourselves.  But this story is telling us that we are the hands and arms and hearts of God! 

We can actually be ourselves AND do the good work of God with our hands and arms and eyes and feet and heart.  And, when the work we do in the world is done in love, that is us doing that good God work.  When we do that work of love and joy and care in the world, that is us letting our light shine, our God light shine!  You are a bright light!  Blessed are you who let your God light shine in the world!

Daily Prayers

In the morning when we wake up: May today bring joy in new ways. Amen.

At mealtimes: Dear God, thank you for health. Thank you for the earth. Thank you for the hands and hearts that made this food. May the earth and your people be healthy. Amen.

Bedtime: Dear God, thank you for resting from the top of my head down to my toes. Your love will be with me even in my sleep. Amen.

Jesus Goes Fishing: Children of God Storybook Bible- Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu

May 26, 2020 

In our prayer today, we pray for the courage to follow Jesus.  Following Jesus means we love our neighbor, care for the environment, and respect animals and other creatures.  And, there are more things too!  But, this is a really good place to start.  Another good thing to do is to take good care of ourselves too.  

It’s really hard to be helpful to others if we aren’t taking good care of ourselves.  This means, it’s good to brush our teeth and take a bath.  And, it’s good to eat things that help us feel energized.  And, it’s good to wash our hands a lot!  Also, wearing a mask in public is also really good!  Today, I hope you work hard at taking care of a really precious piece of God’s creation, and that creation is You!

Daily Prayers

In the morning when we wake up: May today bring joy in new ways. Amen.

At mealtimes: Dear God, thank you for health. Thank you for the earth. Thank you for the hands and hearts that made this food. May the earth and your people be healthy. Amen.

Bedtime: Dear God, thank you for resting from the top of my head down to my toes. Your love will be with me even in my sleep. Amen.

The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein

May 23, 2020

This story makes me think about something in my life that seems like it’s always been there in my life. I’ve had my cat, Bianca for 11 years. I’ve had her since she was just a little baby. We’ve moved a few times together. And, we’ve had different pets along the way. But, the one thing that has always been there is my sweet little cat Bianca. She’s patient, loving, and also a little mischievous (Mischievous means that she likes to cause trouble here and there)! When I am sad or ill, she curls up on my lap. When I am happy, she plays and jumps around! She even knows three tricks she does in order to get treats. It’s like she has always been in my life. And, I am grateful for her. I show her I care by brushing her mane, feeding her good food, providing her lots of toys and love, and making sure she knows she’s my # 1 favorite cat. I wonder if there is something in your life that has always just been there for you. How do you show that thing that you are grateful for it?

Daily Prayers

In the morning when we wake up: May today bring joy in new ways. Amen. At mealtimes: Dear God, thank you for health. Thank you for the earth. Thank you for the hands and hearts that made this food. May the earth and your people be healthy. Amen. Bedtime: Dear God, thank you for resting from the top of my head down to my toes. Your love will be with me even in my sleep. Amen.

Jesus Turns Water into Wine: Children of God Storybook Bible- Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu

May 22, 2020 

What is a spiritual gift?  One way to think about it are those things we do that bring joy and love, and help the world, or at least our little slice of the world.  I wonder what your spiritual gifts are.  Is it your smile?  Is it your way of spreading laughter to others?  Is it through letter writing to friends?  Is it through taking good care to wear a mask and wash your hands?  Is it through your sidewalk chalk artwork?  Is it through being a helpful big sibling at home?  Or, maybe it’s something else.  Spiritual gifts can be a lot of things!

Daily Prayers

In the morning when we wake up: May today bring joy in new ways. Amen.

At mealtimes: Dear God, thank you for health. Thank you for the earth. Thank you for the hands and hearts that made this food. May the earth and your people be healthy. Amen.

Bedtime: Dear God, thank you for resting from the top of my head down to my toes. Your love will be with me even in my sleep. Amen.

Jesus in the Desert: Children of God Storybook Bible by Archbishop Desmond Tutu

May 21, 2020

Thank for your patience while we figure out some of the challenges with the blog posting!

In our story today, Jesus is tempted to do things that are not loving and for the greater good.  He is tempted to do things for his own benefit or tempted to do things that are only helpful for him, but not others.  

There are a lot of temptations all around us too!  I am tempted to not wear a mask anymore.  I am tempted to want to go and give all of my friends hugs!  I wish I could go to Target just for fun again!  Doing these things are temptations during a time when doing things could get someone sick! And, helping keep God’s creation safe and healthy is so much more important than going to Target for fun, or not wearing a mask in public.  I hope you and your family are staying safe, healthy, and watching out for your neighbor.

Daily Prayers

• In the morning when we wake up: May today bring joy in new ways. Amen.
• At mealtimes: Dear God, thank you for health. Thank you for the earth. Thank you for the hands and hearts that made this food. May the earth and your people be healthy. Amen.
• Bedtime: Dear God, thank you for resting from the top of my head down to my toes. Your love will be with me even in my sleep. Amen .