One of the sweetest parts of parenting is watching your children grow in their faith—not just in head knowledge, but in how they actually talk to God and trust Him. Anderson taught me this early on through his bold prayers for Lucy, long before she was even here. He prayed with a confidence that moved mountains in our family’s story, and it reminded me that God invites us to come to Him with childlike faith.
But along with boldness, I also want to teach my kids balance. Faith isn’t just about asking big—it’s about trusting God’s timing, staying rooted in Him, and remembering that prayer is about relationship, not performance.
Every night, Lucy and I read from the Indescribable devotional series by Louie Giglio. These books have become a favorite part of our bedtime routine, blending science, wonder, and faith in a way that speaks beautifully to her curious mind. Just last night, the devotional was called Thick and Thin, and it struck right at the heart of this topic.
It explained that if a tree branch isn’t connected to the vine, it dies off. And the same is true for us—if we aren’t staying connected to God, our faith weakens. To stay connected means talking to Him regularly. The verse it drew from was John 15:5:
“I am the vine and you are the branches. If a person remains in me and I in him, he will produce much fruit. But without me, he can do nothing.”
The devotional closed with this line: “So stay connected with Jesus—and you’ll stay nourished and able to produce a rich harvest of heavenly fruit.”
That’s exactly what I want to model for Lucy and Anderson. I remind them that prayer doesn’t have to be formal. It doesn’t have to wait for bedtime or a Sunday service. We can pray in the car when someone is driving recklessly, asking God to keep them safe. We can pray on a walk, giving thanks for the beauty of the clouds. We can pray in a moment of frustration, asking for forgiveness and a better attitude. We can pray when we see someone’s talent, praising God for the gifts He’s placed in others.
The less formal we make prayer, the more relevant and genuine it becomes. In all of these ways—through gratitude, requests, forgiveness, and praise—we’re teaching our children to stay connected to the Vine. And in that connection, their faith grows bold, balanced, and beautifully alive.
Raising Light 