Tent Time is what we call our family devotions.

Tent Time is designed to give you and your family a retreat right in the center of your home. All you need is a few blankets, 15 minutes, and a heart that is willing to seek out a deeper relationship with God.

If you were like me, just the mention of family devotions sent waves of guilt, stress, and excuses your way.

• I’m such a bad mom!
• How do people have time for that!
• I’ll have to make a big plan, get materials, change our schedules, etc.

We fall into the trap of never finding time and so we continue putting God off for a less busy moment. During this time of waiting, our children grow older and time seems to just slip away.

Starting small is bigger than you think!

I soon realized that I don’t have to do everything perfect to make it work. In fact starting small is better than not at all! It is actually a BIG thing! Here are some tips that I think may help you get started.

• Set aside a time when you will commit as a family to gather. This is a sacrifice that God will honor. Try once a week at first. Don’t make it hard on yourself to keep this commitment by being over zealous. A good time is right after dinner sometime during the week.

Don’t pick a night when your favorite TV show is on or you often have some other previous commitment. The point is to set a time and stick with it so you can begin to set a routine.

• Keep it simple. Read a favorite verse or read a short Bible story book and then discuss what you can learn from the content.
• Let the kids be involved. Encourage their input. If they are old enough then let them read. (it could even count for that 20 minutes of homework reading)
• Share prayer requests. Think of a fun way to keep track of answered prayers and celebrate them.
• Make it Fun! This is not a lecture time. It is a time to discover God and what His Word says to you as a family.

Wandering why we call it Tent Time?

A tabernacle was a tent sanctuary where the Israelites used to worship. It was the place God promised to meet with them, the dwelling place of the Spirit of God. God occasionally called Moses into seclusion; however, the way He chose to meet with His people on a continual basis was in a tent that was pitched right in the middle of their village.The tabernacle was portable and went wherever the people went.

I would like to invite you join us in having Tent Time; create a tabernacle in your home.

• Drape a blanket or sheet across some chairs or the back of a couch.
• Bring in some pillows
• Get your Bible or Tent Time devotion
• Make sure to have an attitude of awe and worship.

Soon you will have created a place in your home to dwell with God. The great thing about it being portable is that you can move it around. Just like the Israelites moved their tabernacle, you can move yours to a different place in your house each time you decide to meet.

I believe you will be surprised at how much your children will enjoy this time and how God will touch and strengthen your family as He comes to your tent to tabernacle.

We would love to here from you. What are your favorite family devotion secrets? If you decide to pitch a tent, send us pictures. We would love to share them on our Facebook page so other families can benefit from your inspiring ideas!

Let us hear from you!

Madaline

I will be posting more tent time devotions soon. Here are the ones I have on Easter if you want to get a jump on planning:)

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