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No Room in the Day?
Here's a hands-on way to show your kids that there's always room for Jesus

Moms have always had to multitask; it's a basic survival skill. But kids today have to do the same thing. I've long worried that as my family gets busier, my kids will think they just don't have time for Jesus in their lives. But one day, as I preheated the oven, set the timer on the stove, listened to my oldest son read aloud, and rescued my youngest son from his precarious perch on a chair while splashing in the sink, I had an idea. After I wiped up the small deluge of dishwater, I got out a few sponges, a large glass jar, and a pitcher of water to teach my kids a simple lesson in faith. If you'd like to share this tactile demonstration of fitting Jesus into your life, here's what you need to do:

1. Cut some sponges into a lot of pieces, about an inch in size.

2. Set a pitcher of water out of sight but within easy reach.

3. Give each child several pieces of the sponge.

4. Ask, "What activities take up your time during the day?"

If they hesitate, give them clues: "What do you do each morning?" "What chores do you have?" "What do you like to do for fun?" Contribute some suggestions they might forget, like bathing, combing hair, picking up toys, or using a computer.

5. For each activity, have them put a piece of sponge into the jar. When the jar is crammed with sponges, point out that there isn't much room for anything else.

6. Now bring out the hidden pitcher of water. Tell them that Jesus is like the water. Slowly, pour the water into the jar. The sponges will absorb the water. There's room for it.

7. Ask, "Why is Jesus like the water in this experiment?" If they don't know, tell them it's because he always fits into our lives. There's always room for him. You might also point out that as the water is absorbed, the sponges seem to grow; they get pumped up in the same way Jesus fills our lives and helps us grow in goodness and kindness. Apply your own analogies and life experiences to this as well, and then have fun seeing what your kids come up with.

Recharge Your Mom Battery
Our Expert Mom Panel answers: How do you recharge your "mom battery"?

I mow the grass. Mowing allows me to enjoy the outdoors and exercise my body while keeping an eye on the kids. The whole thing can be very therapeutic!

I go for groceries—without my kids. I head to the store early, before my family gets up. Then I make it a challenge to see how fast I can read labels, find the best bargain, and imagine a week's worth of meals on the table. This provides an opportunity to start my day feeling as if I've accomplished a meaningful task.

When I need to recharge quickly, I soak in the tub. We live in an old house, complete with a claw-foot bathtub. It's the perfect place to escape with a magazine for 15 or 20 minutes of relaxation.

I go to a ladies' Bible study. While the Bible study itself is very beneficial, the 20-minute ride each way gives me time alone to think outside my mom and wife personas. Sometimes I call my mom to catch up, and sometimes I just let my mind wander—and then am surprised by how quickly I got home.

When there's no other adult around to "save" me, I tell the kids it's bedtime, even if its an hour early. I'll veg in front of the tv, or hang out on the back porch and gaze at the stars with a cup of tea or cocoa by my side.

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