[Ep 29] Using Play to Deepen Faith, Develop Relationships, and Process Grief with Spiritual Parenting Coach Joy Wendling

One of my core beliefs as a children's ministries director, one that I continue to hold today, is that children already experience and know God in a deep and personal way. Kids are not junior varsity Christians. They are able to communicate with God, to hear from Him, and to engage with Him in so many incredible ways. But because we are adults, we don't always see it. We don't always believe it. What looks like child's play to us can really be a form of prayer. What looks like them using their imagination can really be them engaging with God in His Word. What looks like sitting quietly with a coloring book can actually be a form of silence and solitude. And that's why I love this interview with Joy Wendling. Joy is a spiritual parenting coach, and she helps mamas use play with their children to engage with God and build their faith. "But what if I don't like to play?" you ask. "What if I'm not very good at it? What do I do if I'm not very creative?" Joy offers us some very practical steps to take when it comes to using play to talk with our kids about their faith. And let me assure you, you can do this. Kari   MEET JOY WENDLING: Joy Wendling is a Children's and Family Minister turned Stay-at-Home Mom to her 5 little girls. Growing up in the South, Jesus has always been a part of her life, but it wasn't until college that she came to know him as a friend and to realize that he desires a daily relationship with her. This experience started Joy's journey and passion for equipping families to take responsibility of their children's discipleship. For a time, her Family Ministry also overlapped with Christian Early Childhood Education, which is where Joy fell in love with play and its benefits for learning and well-being. Joy is now a play advocate and believes play is the best way to engage children in discipleship. Currently, Joy is encouraging mamas to point their children to Christ with play at her blog CreatedtoPlay.com and is the host of the podcast Playfully Faithful Parenting.   CONNECT WITH JOY: 5 Day Bible Play Challenge Facebook Instagram Website   RESOURCES: Episode 12: Caring for Hurting Kids at Your Church: 3 Powerful But Simple Things You Can Do (lovedoesthat.org/12) Article: How Children Process Grief and Loss Through Play   ------ Friend, I'd love to encourage you as you encourage others. Here are two ways to get started: 1. SHOP ENCOURAGEMENT + SYMPATHY GIFTS These are prayerfully-crafted gifts you can share with those you love as tangible expressions of care. Let your friend know she is not alone. www.lovedoesthat.org/shop 2. SCHEDULE A SPIRITUAL DIRECTION DISCERNMENT CALL Interested in spiritual direction? Schedule a complimentary Discernment Call where we'll talk about what's weighing on your heart and identify next steps you can take to discern God's direction. www.lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection/