While there is much that adults need to teach children as we nurture them in the faith, there also is much that children can teach us. This is especially true about the spiritual life. Unfortunately, these very qualities often give rise to situations that make adults impatient and frustrated. We are hurrying to get to the store or to church on time, but the child stops to admire every stone, each fragment of a bird's egg, each bedraggled dandelion. Bedtime rituals offer openings for spiritual nurture.
Spoken prayers are one way of nurturing spirituality at bedtime.
A friendly puppy might have been a sign of God's affection. As children learn to reflect on their experiences in light of the stories and beliefs of our tradition, they are deepening and integrating their inner life and their Christian faith. After talking about the day, a special story can be shared. Even non-religious books often communicate gospel values and themes. The classic story The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, for example, is a wonderful counterpart to Psalm 139 .