Life is full of adventures for children and adults.  Some days are tough, others fly by.

We need encouragement to keep our minds focused on Christ and radiate His love in all we say and do.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Philippians 4:8 KJV

Having a verse for the day will help you through the hard times and enable you to encourage others. By using an encouragement vessel you will be able to focus your thoughts on Christ and start your day on a positive note.

Make an encouragement vessel.

• Fill a vessel or container with Bible verses. Need some verses to get started? Print these verses.

• Each day before your family goes out the door or gets started with their daily activities, gather around your encouragement vessel.

• Have each person choose a verse and read it. This is their verse for the day. They can carry the verse with them, read it, and draw upon God’s strengthening and encouraging power though out the day.

• When you are finished choosing verses, have a time of family prayer.

Use an encouragement vessel daily to help you stay focused on Christ, draw your family together, and encourage others.

Honour thy father and thy mother.  Matthew 19:19 (KJV)

We should honour our father each day. Father’s day is a specific day to remember and thank our fathers. This day of celebration was signed into law as a national U.S. holiday in 1972.

Here are a few ideas to help children honour and thank their father.

Dad’s special dish

This dish can hold pens, candy, notes, tools, paper clips, or something else dad needs to keep track off.

Supplies:

Any kind of container – It can be small, medium, or large and made of cardboard, plastic, or glass. Let children choose what is special to them. If there is writing on the container, it can be covered with paper.

Decorations – Have fun and let children use their imagination. Paper, markers, crayons, jewels, foam shapes, glitter, beads, paint, and stickers are all fun options.
You may need glue, tape, and scissors depending on how the children choose to decorate their dish.

Directions:
Let the children decorate the dish how they want.
Optional: Fill the dish with a special treat, candy, pens or heartfelt notes.

Sand Art

Fill a container with different colors of sand. Attach a note saying “I love you more than all the colors in the world!”.

I’m nuts for my Dad!

Decorate a container of dad’s favorite nuts. Attach a note saying “I’m nuts for you DAD!”.

Bookmark, keychain, or magnet
Use one of these ideas or come up with your own. When the creation is complete, laminate it for continued use.

Draw a picture.
Use your picture and a poem.

Make an acrostic using your dad’s name. Example: D – Diligent A – Awesome D – Determined

Poems and songs

Make a card with a poem in it. Memorize or read a poem or song to dad.

Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.
Anonymous

Walk A Little Slower, Daddy
“Walk a little slower, Daddy,”
Said a little child so small.
“I’m following in your footsteps,
And I don’t want to fall.
Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they’re hard to see;
So walk a little slower, Daddy,
For you are leading me.
Someday when I’m all grown up,
You’re what I want to be;
Then I will have a little child
Who’ll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead just right,
And know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy,
For I must follow you.”
Author Unknown

What Makes a Dad
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so,

He called it … Dad
Author Unknown

Daddy, I Love You
Daddy, I love you
For all that you do.
I’ll kiss you and hug you
‘Cause you love me, too.

You feed me and need me
To teach you to play,
So smile ’cause I love you
On this Father’s Day.
Author Unknown

My Special Friend
(Tune: Bingo)
I have a very special friend And Daddy is his name-o.
D-A-D-D-Y, D-A-D-D-Y, D-A-D-D-Y,
And Daddy is his name-o.
Author Unknown

Daddy
(Tune: Pop Goes The Weasel)
Daddy, here s a hug for you,
And lots of kisses too. (Hug self, then blow kisses.)
Each hug and kiss you get today
Says that I love you! (Continue hugging and blowing kisses.)
Author Unknown

Show mothers or grandmothers love this Mother’s Day with something meaningful and from the heart. These quick, easy, and fun ideas can show you care and let them know they are special.

Make a gift basket and include these special gifts and notes or choose individual gifts and attach the matching note. Deliver the gift with a big hug and say “I love YOU”.

• Flowers – If moms were like flowers I’d pick you! I Love You Mom!

• A Plant – Thank you Mom for helping me grow and teaching me about Jesus. You’re the best!

• Ice Cream Sundae – I want to scream “You’re the sweetest Mom!”

• Favorite Soda – YOU are Soda-rific Mom!

• Nice Pen – You’re the “write” Mom for me!!

• Bite size candies – You make things “bite” size for me. Thanks for helping me Mom!

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – There are many “Reese’s” why you’re a great Mom!

• Cheese grater – YOU are the “grate”est mom!!

• Notepad – To a “Note”worthy Mom!!!

• EXTRA Gum – You are EXTRA special!

• Mints – Mom you have “mint” a lot to to me!

• Melon – You’re one in a “melon” Mom.

Make a homemade card and write a poem inside or use one of these. Another option is to print a poem on fancy paper and put it in a frame with a picture of you and your mom or grandmother.

Mother’s Love

Your Love is like an island
In life’s ocean, vast and wide,
A peaceful quiet shelter
From the wind and rain and tide.

Above it like a beacon light
Shone faith and truth and prayer;
And through the changing scenes of life,
I find a haven there.
Author Unknown

As I Look Back

As I look back on my life
I find myself wondering…..
Did I remember to thank you
for all that you have done for me?

For all of the times you were by my side
to help me celebrate my successes
and accept my defeats?

Or for teaching me the value of hard work,
good judgement, courage, and honesty?

I wonder if I’ve ever thanked you for the simple things…
The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we’ve shared?

If I have forgotten to express my gratitude
For any of these things,
I am thanking you now….
and I am hoping that you’ve known all along,
how very much you are loved and appreciated.

Author Unknown

I Wish I Could Tell You, Mom

I wish I could tell you, Mom
how much you mean to me…
But there are no words to say
how much I admire you…
how much I appreciate you…
how much I thank you
for everything you’ve done.

Author Unknown

And Grandma’s too…

While we honor all our mothers
with words of love and praise.
While we tell about their goodness
and their kind and loving ways.
We should also think of Grandma,
she’s a mother too, you see….
For she mothered my dear mother
as my mother mothers me.

Author Unknown

Mother

I think God took the fragrance
of a flower,
A pure white flower, which blooms
not for world praise
But which makes sweet and beautiful
some bower;
The compassion of the dew,
which gently lays
Reviving freshness on
the fainting earth,
And gives to all the tired things
new birth;
The steadfastness and radiance
of stars
Which lift the soul above
confining bars;
The gladness of fair dawns;
the sunset’s peace;
Contentment which from trivial rounds
asks no release;
The life which finds its greatest joy
in deeds of love for others…
I think God took these precious things
and made of them…mothers.

Author Unknown

“Honor your father and your mother.”

Exodus 20:12 (NIV)