These central notions emerging from the limited experiences of infants, which almost exclusively have to do with whether they receive attention and affection or not, stay with us for life and indeed influence how we think of God and of the devil.

All of this is to say that it is not so much what parents tell them children about God that is important, but how children are treated by their primary caregivers.

So, the task we have when we face the reality of how we influence what our children think about God--and we influence them whether we want it or not--is a complex one. The issue is not how we describe God to the children. The issue is who is God for us and how we live in the ordinariness of everyday life our understanding of God. Unless we know that we will not be able to describe God to our children.

Maybe the following rational/spiritual exercise regime will equip us to talk to our children about God.

• Take 5 minutes, 7 days in a row to describe God to yourself.

**Remember, reflected living is so much richer, so much more joyful. Go for it!

**Remember, this exercise is not about what your religion teaches about God; it is about who is God for you, what is God like for you—and physical characteristics are not the issue. Concentrate on what you believe about God’s way of perceiving what happens, what do you believe are God’s motives, dispositions, attitudes and intentions.

• Days 8-14: 5 minutes every day to think about how what you think God is like concretely shows up in who you are and what you do.

**Do not be discouraged. Most of us have zillion of miles to go before we reconcile who God is with who we should be. At least you have started down this wonderful road on which you will meet everyone living a reflected life.

**Do not be discouraged. Though you will never be able to stop trying, the trying will become part of living to the point that trying will bring you great fulfillment.

I guarantee that after the 14th day you will be able to cross out item #73 on your list of “Things To Do Before the Holidays”: Describe God to the children.