"Finding Jesus on Upside Down Days" by Jill Miller

Family Devotions from the Barnyard

Family Devotions were always important to my parents when I was growing up.  Every morning at breakfast, before my siblings and I went off to school and before my dad went off to work, we read a scripture-based devotional that started with a verse or two from the Bible, a short commentary on that scripture, a hymn or a poem, and ended with a short prayer.  We would sit at the table and read through the devotional (often one of us kids would be asked to read) and we’d talk a little bit about it and then be off to start our days.

These daily devotions were important to our family routine, and I’m thankful for the priority my parents put on these family times.  But they were a little boring for the youngest ones in the family and didn’t always provide something that a child would connect with.

Recently a really fun book was shared with me and I want to share it with you! It’s a family devotional book written by the very imaginative Jill Miller. And it’s great for families who have young children!  This is a great starter book for making time in a day to talk with little ones about how God reveals Himself in the world and in His word!

In real-life, Jill has a variety of animals that she cares for and she writes very funny stories about how she interacts with them from day to day.  She also points out how through caring for these animals, she sees the Lord at work in her life (and in the lives of those who know Him). Her musings encourage young ones to put their hope and trust in Him.

With 52 chapters this could be a weekly devotional, or it could be fun bed-time reading.  For older readers this could be an age-appropriate way to help them develop a habit of daily reflection on how God is at work in our day to day lives.