Article by Joy Studer
February 15, 2024
Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn’t Have to Heal From
Author: Meredith Miller
She put my heart on the pages
I have often felt my approach to faith with my children was different from my peers in many ways. I haven’t been able to pinpoint what it is or put the right words to it. I knew I wanted to encourage a relationship with God. I didn’t always know how. I’ve been lucky to be involved in Godly Play prior to motherhood, and that has given me the ability to wonder with my children when they ask big questions or even the seemingly small ones. I was still finding that the idea of “building a strong faith foundation” for my children didn’t sit well with me in the common metaphors that come with that concept. Perhaps this is a reflection of my own faith and religious related trauma.
One beautiful summer day, “Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn’t Have to Heal From” by Meredith Miller came into my home and I felt as though she put my entire heart and thoughts on the pages. I found myself nodding along saying, “YES!” outloud. The invitation to think of faith not as a wall to be built, stacked and possibly crumble under pressure, but as a web that stretches, bends and can transform as it grows. This gift of a book gives room to be curious and wonder with your children, acknowledging what we know of God, and letting their relationship with God grow from there.
Be Curious
Be curious was one of the best pieces of advice I received in 2023 from Rev. Cheryl Minor, Ph.D. She once said this aloud in a moment of contemplation. She said she reminds herself to be curious in many situations and conversations and I have since then applied as much as I can. The book Woven brought this curiosity to another level and I felt better equipped as a parent. Now I will be singing from the rooftops for all to listen to Meredith Miller as she is interviewed about her book and methods on “Mess Makes Meaning”, the Everyday Godly Play Podcast. This is also a wonderful book for book studies with parents/caregivers and I would love to hear what others think. I know all of my Godly Play family, far and wide will fall in love with this book and the concepts as I have.
This month, the Godly Play Foundation brings us a heart-opening interview full of aha moments with the incredible Pastor Meredith Miller, author of "Woven: Nurturing a Faith your Kid Doesn't Have to Heal From." Meredith offers us a different way to look at strengthening our own relationship and our children's relationship with God. Find more of Meredith's resources on here website: https://meredithannemiller.com/
