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In an era of packed calendars and overscheduled children, many Christian parents struggle to find time and energy for spiritual practices with their families. Mornings seem ideal, until someone can’t find their backpack. Evenings would work perfectly, except children’s activities mean there are only two nights when everyone is home together.
The logistics alone can be discouraging, not to mention the challenge of discussing complex Scripture passages or difficult truths about the world with children. It can all feel overwhelming.
This three-day devotional serves families who want to gather at the dinner table but find themselves scattered, or who have time together but aren’t quite sure how to use it meaningfully. Designed for parents who want to share God’s love for the oppressed with their children, these brief daily devotionals introduce a Bible verse, a child from another country, and a brief reflection.
Consider an every-other-day pattern with this devotional. Read and discuss the first devotional on Monday, then reflect on Tuesday. By Saturday, you’ll have spent quality time in God’s word, prayer, and with one another considering how to love others as Jesus loves them.
Praying for Purpose
Have you ever had one of those days that feels like too much? When your to-do list is longer than a giraffe’s neck? Maybe you’re staring at a mountain of homework while remembering you promised to clean your room, and oh wait—you have soccer practice in 20 minutes! Sometimes life can feel like you’re trying to play with too many balls at once.
In Colombia, a young girl named Dayana knows exactly what a day like that feels like. Every morning at 6 AM, while many of us are still sleeping in bed, Dayana is already walking through her neighborhood. The sun is just waking up as she makes her way to buy food for her family. Her day is packed full as she helps at home, studies at school, does chores, and takes care of her siblings. It sounds exhausting, right?
But Dayana has discovered a special secret, one that Jesus also teaches us about in the Bible. Jesus tells us that real love isn’t just about saying nice things—it’s about what we do. It’s like the difference between saying “I’m going to clean my room!” and actually picking up those toys off the floor. Dayana doesn’t just say she loves her family; she shows it through every early morning walk, homework assignment, and washed dish.
Here’s what makes Dayana’s story amazing: instead of feeling grumpy about her busy days, she’s found a way to turn them into something beautiful through gratitude. She sees each task as a chance to love her family, learn something new, or help someone else. When she’s buying food in the morning, she’s thankful she can help. When she’s doing homework, she’s grateful she gets to go to school. Even when she’s doing chores, she’s happy she can spend time with her siblings.
What if we looked at our overwhelming days the same way? What if each task wasn’t just something to check off, but a chance to show love, learn something new, or help someone else? Maybe that mountain of homework is actually a chance to grow smarter, and cleaning your room is a way to show your parents you appreciate your home.
Read: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18
Think About It: What’s the hardest part of your day? How could you look at it differently, like Dayana does? What would Jesus say about how you handle tough days?
Act Together: Make a family gratitude jar. When something feels overwhelming, write down one thing you’re thankful for about that situation and put it in the jar. At the end of the week, read them together and see how being thankful changed your view. During this week, you can also learn more about Dayana and her home country of Colombia!
Pray: “Dear God, sometimes our days feel too big and too busy. But you’ve shown us that grateful hearts can turn overwhelming moments into opportunities to love others. Help us remember that real love is shown in what we do, not just what we say. Thank you for Dayana. Please bless her and her family in Colombia. When we feel overwhelmed, help us remember to be thankful and to show our love through our actions, just like Jesus taught us. In his name we pray, amen.”
By sharing stories, Scripture, and times of prayer with their children, parents can help prepare the soil for God’s work in their lives. Compassion International offers dozens of stories, devotionals, and resources for families who want to grow together in loving the Lord, fighting poverty, and uplifting others.
For more devotionals that will prompt meaningful discussions and offer action steps for being the hands and feet of Jesus, visit Compassion International.