There’s something truly special about seeing a child discover the wonder of God’s love for the first time. Their eyes light up, their hearts open, and the seeds of faith take root in a way that can shape their entire lives. As parents, grandparents, and caregivers, we have the unique opportunity to guide children on their spiritual journeys, helping them understand that they are deeply loved by God—just as they are.
In Girtie: You Are Special, Girtie learns that her differences make her unique, and through her journey, she finds her place in God’s world. It’s a story that shows us how faith can be a guiding light, helping children embrace their own uniqueness and see themselves as God does—wonderfully made. Here are some ways to bring that same message into the lives of the little ones you love.
Teaching Faith Through Storytelling
Stories have a way of reaching into our hearts, and for children, they can make complex ideas like God’s love feel simple and real. Girtie is a perfect example of how a story can teach values like self-acceptance, resilience, and kindness. When children hear about Girtie overcoming her challenges and learning to see herself as special, they’re learning that God sees them the same way.
Reading stories together can be a beautiful way to introduce faith-based values. It’s in these moments—snuggled up with a book, exploring new worlds—that children can start to understand that God’s love is with them every step of the way. Stories create a safe space for children to ask questions, to wonder, and to see themselves in the characters they meet.
Practical Tips for Nurturing Faith
Nurturing a child’s faith doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about weaving small moments of spiritual connection into the fabric of everyday life. Here are some simple ways to help your children grow in their relationship with God:
- Read Stories That Teach Christian Values: Books like Girtie can become cherished tools for teaching children about God’s love. As you read together, ask questions like, “How do you think Girtie felt when she learned she was special?” or “What can this story teach us about God’s love for us?”
- Encourage Daily Prayer: Teach children that prayer is simply talking to God, sharing their thoughts, their worries, and their thankfulness. Bedtime is a great time to develop this habit, helping kids to end their day by reflecting on what they’re grateful for and praying for others.
- Explore God’s Creation Together: Nature is one of the easiest ways to show children the wonder of God’s creation. Go for a walk and point out the beauty in the world around you—the trees, the sky, the birds. Remind them that just as God created the world in all its diversity, He also created them uniquely.
- Make Church a Positive Experience: Church can be a place where children see the broader community of believers, reinforcing the idea that they are part of something much bigger. Help them feel comfortable by explaining what happens during a service, introducing them to Sunday school, or simply making it a time for family connection.
Activities to Reinforce Faith Lessons
Kids learn best when they can interact and create, so turning faith lessons into hands-on activities can help them understand and remember God’s love. Here are a few fun ways to bring the lessons of Girtie into your child’s world:
- Art and Drawing: Encourage kids to draw scenes from stories like Girtie, or let them create their own illustrations of how they imagine God’s love. Art allows them to express their feelings and makes abstract ideas like faith more tangible.
- Memorize Bible Verses Together: Choose simple, child-friendly verses like Psalm 139:14—“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made”—and turn it into a game. Kids love challenges, and memorizing scripture can be a fun way to introduce them to God’s word.
- Role-Play Stories of Kindness: Help kids act out stories where characters show kindness, patience, and understanding, whether it’s a scene from Girtie or a story from the Bible. Role-playing helps children understand how to put their faith into action in everyday situations.
Planting Seeds That Will Grow
Instilling faith in children is a journey, one that takes time, patience, and lots of love. But every prayer you share, every story you read, and every conversation you have about God’s love is a seed that you’re planting in their hearts. It’s a seed that can grow into a strong, resilient faith that will carry them through all of life’s ups and downs.
Just like Girtie learned that she was special, we want our children to know that they are cherished by a God who made them uniquely and loves them deeply. And as they grow, those seeds of faith will blossom, helping them to see the world—and themselves—through God’s eyes.
So, take a moment today to share a story, say a prayer, or marvel at the beauty of God’s creation with the little ones in your life. Let them know that they are never alone—that God’s love is with them, guiding their steps and lighting their path.