The Rhythms that Hold us
How a Family Rule of Life Grew Without Us Realizing It
What if the spiritual tone of your home isn’t set by how religious it is—but by the quiet, unnoticed rhythms that unfold each day?
That’s the heart of today’s reflection. It builds on the Rule of Life tool I shared yesterday—a resource designed to help you shape a spiritual trellis for your family in a way that’s grace-filled and seasonally grounded.
But before we talk frameworks, let me take you into the lab:
Two real-life stories from our home—not models to copy, but rhythms that lasted and quietly shaped us over time.
🌟 Advent Evenings (Our December Rule)
When our children were young, we lived far from extended family. No grandparents nearby. No cousins. It was just us. And we knew that shaping our children’s inner lives couldn’t be outsourced.
So we decided to make Advent—the four weeks leading up to Christmas—a sacred, memorable season.
Before we ever used the language of a Rule of Life, we intuitively built one. Each night, without fail, we lit candles, read Scripture, opened Advent calendars, shared cookies, and prayed together. As the kids grew, they took turns leading the readings and prayers.
We never missed a night. Even when we were tired or stretched, our children insisted—the day wasn’t over until Advent was celebrated. That consistency became a trellis. It gave shape to the season—and space for formation.
One year, our youngest son—just four years old—noticed something was missing from the Christmas decorations. His homemade infant Jesus doll, crafted with his mom, was nowhere to be found.
To him, it was an emergency.
We searched every box. Nothing. Finally, a new Jesus was created, gently laid into the manger. He smiled, exhaled, and said, “Now Christmas can happen.”
He may not have grasped the theological depth. But he grasped the one thing needful: Jesus was coming. And we had to be ready.
We expected our children to outgrow this rhythm. They never did. The activities matured. The prayers changed. But the practice of slowing down, paying attention, and preparing our hearts remained.
Today, our adult children still carry those rhythms—and some are passing them on to their own little ones.
📚 Bedtime Devotions (Our Daily Rule)
Another rhythm formed over time—less seasonal, but no less sacred.
We discovered a devotional series that paired Bible stories with short tales about children learning to live with kindness, courage, and faith. Each night, we’d read together—one passage from Scripture, one relatable story, and a moment of prayer or conversation.
It became the most spiritually formative hour of our day.
Sometimes we laughed. Sometimes we shared fears or school stories. Sometimes we just sat together. And always, we prayed.
Even our pets were named after characters in those stories.
When I was away at church meetings, the kids waited up—because devotionals hadn’t happened yet. They mattered that much. The time grounded us. It shaped our language, our tone, and the way we understood one another.
It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t perfect. But it was real. And it built something that lasted.
Even now, when I sit with my adult children and their families, I notice the ease of conversation, the trust, the joy. And I know—at least some of that was formed in those nightly practices.
🌱 Every Family Already Has a Rule
That’s the truth behind the Raising Simpler Souls tool I shared yesterday:
Every home already has a rule of life.
You may not call it that, but the rhythms are there:
The tone of your mornings
Whether screens are always on
What happens around the table
What words are spoken before bed
How you talk about time, God, and one another
Even if no one’s named it, your home has a pattern. The invitation is simply to make it more intentional. More rooted. More grace-filled.
📄 Missed the Tool?
The Wednesday post included a printable guide titled:
Raising Simpler Souls: A 3-Month Rule of Life for Families
It includes:
A customizable template to create a family rhythm
Five reflection questions to guide meaningful conversation
A framework to help you choose:
One ease practice (something you already do)
One aspirational practice
One gentle stretch
One family-specific rhythm or act of service
👉 [Subscribe to download the Rule of Life for Families tool]
Note: The Advent and Bedtime examples above are not in the tool. They’re part of our family story. The downloadable resource includes its own sample rhythms to help spark yours.
We haven’t always gotten this right—and we still don’t—but these rhythms gave us room to breathe and belong. That’s why we’re still learning and still sharing.
Let’s Raise Simpler Souls
Your home doesn’t need to become a monastery.
You don’t have to throw out your tech or light candles every night.
But your home can become a place where the soul can breathe.
A place where God is welcomed, slowly and quietly.
A place where formation is not accidental—but intentional and grace-soaked.
Let’s choose rhythms that leave room for what matters most.
Let’s raise simpler souls.
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🕊 A Benediction for Your Home
As you take this quiet step—
pausing to reflect, to reimagine, to realign—
may you know this:You are not alone.
God goes with you into the ordinary rooms of your life.
God sees the ache behind your intentions,
the hope tucked inside your questions,
the love that keeps trying.So may your home become
not perfect, but peaceful.
Not flawless, but full of grace.And may the Spirit guide your hands
as you shape something simple, sacred, and new.I’m holding you in God’s presence as you do.
Gratefully,
Gene