#godlyplay

Godly Play is a creative method of teaching Bible stories, using parables, sacred stories and liturgical lessons about religious traditions using simple materials. 

Godly Play can be a way of preparing children to join the worship life of their congregations as they experience sacred stories, symbols and rites and encounter the religious language associated with worship within the context of our faith tradition.

i have already consumed a pot of tea and three cups of coffee this morning and i'm STILL tired. 

i can tell that i'm not getting enough sleep.  i started picking a fight with hubbie this morning before he was even out of bed.  "you always get to sleep in!"  i complain.  then i look at the clock and realize it's only 6 a.m  so what.  i've been up since 5 a.m. and i'm grumpy.  so much for zen mamma.  she hasn't woken up yet.

the past month is a blur.  may used to be a beautiful time to plant seeds and watch the flowers grow.  now it's jammed packed with end of year happenings, confirmations, graduations & galas galore.  it's a mega transition, a walk through the fiery bridge between school's end and summer's beginning.  since aspies survive on very clear structure and this momma thrives on being spontaneous, she has been scribbling away in her calendar working extra extra hard preparing for this very day:  the first day of NO SCHOOL and NO DAY CARE by asking herself the most vital question:  "what the hell am I going to do with 3 kids all summer?????"

i'm almost ready for it.

we created a "sacred space" upstairs so i could do montessori work with the kids through the summer.  hubbie hung sheer white curtains in a corner of the room.  we set up an altar, a work table, little chairs, and a bookshelf to put our sacred stories that we'll create together all summer long.  i also put a framed picture of each family member on a shelf so that we could light a candle and say a prayer for all the creechers every day.

each week i'll pick a sacred story to unpack throughout the week.  on mondays we'll visit the angelic store of michael's and purchase the craft materials to make characters and scenery for our story.  then tues, wed & thurs we spend time each day sculpting, cutting, gluing, and drawing.  on friday we'll hear the sacred story presented with all the materials we've created.  over the weekend we reflect on what it means.  

we'll begin with the story of the good shepherd.  sophia cavaletti, a religious educator who worked with maria montessori, found that this story was central in a child's developmental psychology.  the good shepherd acts like a protective father, sheltering the sheep from the dangers of the world--the stranger and the wolf.  the good shepherd also acts like a nurturing mother, feeding the sheep with green pasture and still waters, restoring the soul.  telling these stories helps them to feel safe and energized as they begin explore the mysterious world outside of their own little sheepfold.        

as i make the stories and read the sacred texts each week, i reflect on what speaks to me.  i try to find what feeds me before i attempt to feed my children.  i try to find divine inspiration, some connection to spirit that moves me.  

it is always the voice of the good shepherd that inspires me in this first story.  what does that voice sound like?  there are so many voices within me.  one voice has been too loud lately:  the inner critic.  this is not the voice of the good shepherd.  i know this because it is too harsh. it leads me to dangerous places, to rocky soil, muddy water and abysmal cliffs.  the voice of the good shepherd is filled with wisdom and grace.  it is gentle.  encouraging.  peaceful.  it inspires me to create and share my creations with others.  this is the voice i want to listen for this week.  this is the voice that i would like to hear flowing out of my own mouth too.