milk & honey mamas

Story contributed by Kristen

Click here for the theological background

Remember, repetition helps children internalize and make connections. It might be a good idea to read the same story every day for a week. You can add different activities every day.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 15:58; 16:13

Dear friends,

I forgot to mention one more thing. Some of you have been asking about what happens after you die, or after your loved ones die. This is a very good question, and I have been thinking carefully about it.

I have been thinking about how Jesus came back and how Jesus told his disciples that he trusted them to do his work. I have been thinking about what that means, and I have been praying and wondering and asking God. Here is what I think:

Jesus came back for us. Jesus came back to the earth and to his body to show us that this world is worth returning to. And because Jesus came back, we can all come back. Death is not the end. Even though our bodies have to die when they reach the end of their lives, the Spirit which is in all of us will continue to live and seek love and connection. And one day, because of Jesus, Spirit and our bodies will come together again and we will live in our very own bodies. We too will be resurrected.

But my friends, it is more than just this. We can be resurrected today, even before we have died. When we feel too tired to keep trying, we can find ways to fill our bodies with Spirit so that we can find the life in us and around us. Jesus wants to fill us up with good things, to help us honor and love the life that is in us all. 

I hope this helps answer your questions, my friends. Let us keep wondering and asking together.

With love,

Paul

Ideas for Play

Contributed by Kristen

• Watch this video about resurrection

• Do your children have experience with someone close to your family dying? Talk about the experience and review what your family believes about an afterlife and about resurrection 

Read this lovely book about death and resurrection 

• Talk about ancestors in your family who have died. Are you still connected to them? Tell some stories about ancestors and ways that you still feel connected to them. Get out pictures and show them to your family if possible. Talk about our connections beyond death.

• What things fill you up with life? Make a list and practice a few of them. Here are some ideas:
  • Walking outside
  • Playing in the water
  • Eating my favorite foods
  • Showing love to someone
  • Asking for and receiving love from someone (like a hug or a snuggle or a special activity)
  • Singing and dancing 

Poetry

Compiled by Caroline

This beautiful prayer reminds me that we can practice resurrection every day. What needs to be resurrected in you today? How can you practice resurrection with your children?

Prayer

from Every Moment Holy (“For the Ritual of Morning Coffee”)

Meet me, O Christ
in this stillness of morning.
Move me, O Spirit,
to quiet my heart.
Mend me, O Father,
from yesterday’s harms.

From the discords of yesterday,
resurrect my peace.
From the discouragement of yesterday,
resurrect my hope.
From the weariness of yesterday,
resurrect my strength.
From the doubts of yesterday,
resurrect my faith.
From the wounds of yesterday,
resurrect my love.

Let me enter this new day, aware of my need
and awake to your grace, O Lord.

Amen.

Art

Compiled by Caroline

These three artworks all depict the resurrected Christ. What do you notice about each artist’s depiction of resurrection? How does each artist create a feeling of joy (notice color, texture, movement)? What do you imagine your resurrected body to look like?

Music

Compiled by Caroline

This World is Not My Home, Traditional, recorded by BYU Singers

Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Randy Travis

God Be With You Till We Meet Again, The Lower Lights