Kids, Autumn, and the Goodness of God’s Plan

As a Christian parent who enjoys being outside, I look for ways to explain to my children how nature points to God and His goodness. The season of fall provides a great example.

Most kids love the outdoors, they just don’t realize it these days. When we do get them in the outdoors they find the many wonders God placed it and it sparks their brains. If we find a way to teach kids about God in the outdoors and make it encouraging to them, it will resonate in their souls and give a lift to their lives.

A Family Hike and God’s Purpose

Each year as autumn arrives, my family and I get excited about the opportunity to do activities in the crisp air. We like fall hiking and camping and other outdoor activities. On one of our fall hikes, the wind gently blew casting loose leaves from the trees. We noticed how the leaves softly floated down in the whispering wind. We watched as more and more leaves fell to random spots on the ground. They fall by no will of their own, but by the will of the wind.

I asked my kids, “Are we like these leaves? Do we walk randomly fall through life like the leaves that randomly drift in the wind or do we have a purpose? Are we controlled by something other than our own will or can we make decisions as to where we go with our lives?”

My kids knew the answer to the questions. They know that we can make decisions that help direct where we go in our lives. And I remind them that God has a plan for us. Our lives are never random. Even if we don’t actively make decisions as to what steps to take in our life, God still has His hand on us. He guides us whether we are active or passive in our decisions.

As believers, it helps our children to understand these things. Children need to know that God has a purpose and a plan for their lives and that their decisions affect how God’s plan play out in their lives.  When kids know that God has given them a purpose for their existence, they develop a greater sense of self-worth.

Hiking Further Down the Trail

As my family and I journeyed through the hills on that winding fall trail, we saw more and more leaves along the ground. I asked my kids, “Is that it for these leaves? Is that all God has for them? He had a purpose for them to soak up the summer sun, but since that time is come and gone is there nothing more for the leaves to do?”

The answer to that question is no. I tell my children God still has a purpose for these leaves. Insects, such as the roly-poly bug, will eat the leaves next spring as they decay. God will provide for those bugs and then those bugs will become food for birds and other animals.

Over time the leaves will completely break down into the soil. The remaining nutrients stored in them will become food for the trees that continue to grow. God will use this year’s fallen leaves to provide for insects, animals and plants in the months and years ahead.

So, I explain to my children, “If God has a plan for a leaf that drifts aimlessly in the wind, then He certainly has a far greater plan for you.”

As parents, it’s important for us to let our kids know how nature reveals the goodness of God and that He has a great purpose for their lives. Knowing these things and treasuring them in their hearts will greatly influence them as they walk the trails of life.