While we do not leave the virtue of compassion behind, our virtue focus for the month of April is PERSEVERANCE. We could not have anticipated how much we would need this virtue right now. Click here for the home poster with suggested readings and “Try This” ideas. We hope you’ll talk and pray together as a family about how to persevere with God’s help during these challenging times.
Recommended readings* to read and discuss together:
Grades K-4:
The Little Steam Engine (530)
The Tortoise and the Hare (529)
The Crow and the Pitcher (532)
You Mustn’t Quit (536)
Grades 5-8:
Intro to Perseverance (527)
Carry On! (541)
We Shall Fight in the Fields…(569)
I Have a Dream (572)
*Readings can be found in The Book of Virtues, ed. William J. Bennett. Copies can be found on Amazon Smile.
“Try This” ideas for families:
One: God’s word helps us to persevere. As a family, memorize the verses on the front of this sheet or other Scripture throughout the month.
Two: Set some goals to begin working on this month. Write out the steps needed to meet them and hang them somewhere where you will see them regularly.
Three: Talk together as a family. Was there a time when you wanted to quit something but didn’t give up. What was the result? Has someone taught you how to persevere? What things do you find especially hard to persevere in? What advice would you give someone who is struggling to persevere?
Four: Explore the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition of 1914-1916 in the ship Endurance. Shackleton was said to have placed this ad in a London Newspaper: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.” There are many kid-friendly websites and videos families can access together to learn about this amazing journey of perseverance.