We’re Not Meant to Live in Isolation

by Kristi F | Encouragement, Faith, Family, Friendship, Kids, Marriage, Parenting, Soul Nourishment, Spiritual Growth, Trials

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Kristi F

I am an Oklahoman by birth, a Texan by current living situation, but claim the world as my playground.I love to travel and hope to someday soon take our family on adventures to far off lands, where we can share God with others and experience all the wonders He has created.

I am a mother of 5 crazy, homeschooling children ages 10 & under, wife to an amazing man, and daughter of the King of the Universe!I enjoy reading, making my kids laugh, cooking, all things natural, learning to play guitar and dusting off my piano skills.One day I hope to run again, but until then I’m learning patience.

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Isn’t it amazing how God created us?  There are so many things to be in awe about but one of them is our need for relationships and community.

There are many wonderful reasons why God created marriage, families, friends, and the church body.  He knew what a blessing it would be to have others rejoice with us and also help us during difficult times.

This month’s Family Time Training Activity called Cord of Three Strands emphasizes the great gift God has given us by creating a need in us to have relationships with others.  This activity shows so well why living in isolation isn’t beneficial.

The kids and I were able to enjoy this activity even while we were at the lake.  (I like that I can just click on the website for a digital version of the Bible activities and I don’t have to print them off unless I want to. It’s definitely a lighter way to pack when going on vacation!)

Cord of Three Strands Activity

For this activity, all you need is:

• Access to the Family Time Training Activity Script either via your phone or download it and print it off. Access the monthly activity here.  (The free activities change every month so if you missed this one, enjoy doing the next one OR sign up for the extremely affordable unlimited access to all of their activities.)
• Your Bible, a Bible app, or you can read the verses straight from the Family Time Training Script
• 3 steak knives or other knives that are the same length (use caution if using sharp knives with small children)
• 4 cups
• Water or dirt–fill one of the four cups with either water or dirt.

That’s it!

The Activity:

Read the verses listed from The Cord of Three Strands Activity script.  One, of course, is Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:

Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

The Cup of Water

We chose to use water instead of a cup of dirt.  The water represents the tears we shed during troubled times.

She couldn’t help but smile while holding the cup of tears! This was taken right before she “shared” her cup of tears with others. She was skeptical if others could hold her tears.

The Lone Knife

Each knife represents a person (aka one of the three strands).  By putting our burdens/cup of troubled tears onto just one lone knife (ourselves), we quickly see that it become impossible to carry our burdens alone. We often try to do this, but that is not how God created us.  We all too often collapse under the weight of these unshared burdens.

Supporting Knives

Again each knife represents a person.  Now we know that God created us to allow others to help carry our burdens but are we willing to do it? Do we believe others are willing to share the burden of our troubles, or are we skeptical that they will let us down?  It’s easy to be skeptical, but God has created marriage, families, friendship, and the church body to hold us up and help carry us as Jesus would during our good times and difficulties.

Will the knives be able to support the tears and burdens?

Just as my children were shocked that these three knives were able to hold up a cup full of water, often times we are overwhelmed by the grace and love that we feel when others hold us up during times we are barely able to stand.

Prayer Over Our Hearts

Lord, we praise your name for knowing that this life would be difficult and we would need help not only from you but from others on this Earth.  Thank you for creating relationships and encouraging us to rejoice with each other, mourn with each other, and live life together instead of in isolation.  May we be willing to allow others to come alongside us. May we also be willing to walk with others during their time of need.  In your son’s precious name we pray – Amen!