Once upon a time, in the childhood of my sons, Holy Spirit inspired me.

The children’s shows from which to choose remained minimal (those without practiced silliness, political correctness, evolution or witchcraft, that is). Even with nurturing our children’s spirits in the womb, as we progressively learned and applied, there’s still the pressing and substantial need to care for, protect, and nurture their souls. Of course, the healthy nurture of their bodies with healthful food and exercise also plays an important role in their development.

A Stunningly Brief Window of Time

to Establish a Solid Foundation

Cultivating healthy children — spirit, soul and body — is a full-time job. In addition to this is the fact that the most crucial time to build healthy children is a stunningly short time. Their spirit is dominant until age two when their soul comes on board. In these times, as early as ages 8-9, they’re entering the physical change of puberty.

There are twelve years or less to establish their healthy foundation – spirit, soul and body. Amazingly brief.

This must be stated in order to underline the extreme importance of their early-years nurture. However, if you realize you’ve missed critical years and important developmental input, please do not receive any negatives — no condemnation, no overwhelm, etc. With Heavenly Father, every day is a time to begin again.

Early years with children are physically demanding. By and large, children do not stop. The healthier they are, the more energy they have! Their naps and times of rest have to become part of a routine that is nourishing. This does not happen by default.

Most parents are trying to figure life out themselves, and in these challenging times, working hard to stay afloat financially, etc. Most adults do not recognize or implement the need for times of physical rest as well.

Amidst these factors and challenges is when Holy Spirit inspired me – to combine my young sons’ rest time with Scripture on audio. It nurtured their developing souls, as well as strengthened their spirits, and gave their bodies a consistent time for physical rest.

Pleasant with Freedom!

I knew they needed a foundation of their own in Scripture, and that it needed to be clear of man’s thousands of years of traditions piled on top of Scripture interpretation. I wanted their souls to be nurtured and taught what mattered. Yes, we also watched children’s shows which I selected very meticulously.

However, almost every day of the week (we missed some days), I implemented this schedule. From a CD set of the entire Bible, I selected one (each one was about one hour in length). They each had a CD player in their room for this express purpose. They heard undiluted Scripture themselves – not from a secondary source. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (NASB, Romans 10:17).

Having had a dose of religious experience in my time which was not pleasant, I wanted this “rest stop” to be very pleasant. I prepped snacks and their CD player at a routine time. The first schedule was an afternoon time when all of us (children and parents) needed a break. Since this was inspired by Holy Spirit and I had a love of Father’s Scriptures, it wasn’t a “religious” tradition. Further, as we started young (my oldest son being six years old when he started, and my youngest son being about three), it was natural. With the snacks, it became anticipated! Beyond that, I added this cherry on top: They could freely move about their room, playing with any tactile or learning toy (no computers or technology). Much Lego equipment and places were constructed in those days!

“How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (NASB, Psalm 119:103).

When they emerged after the hour rest stop with Scripture, they always looked settled.

Fruit Now, Fruit Later

The fruit now is that it’s the best rest time on earth. The children are settled (and nurtured) in soul, spirit, and body as a result of listening.

Fast forward almost twenty years.

Over the past few years, I’ve heard feedback, independently and unsolicited, from each of my sons. It’s astounded me. They’ve each expressed a highly discerning and nuanced detection of erroneous teaching, some from leaders with platforms. They knew the truth from Scripture, and it wasn’t difficult to decipher error when they heard that. They’ve each expressed a concern for people to know Heavenly Father and His inspired Scripture personally in order to have personal salvation, Father’s blessings, and protection. I’ve witnessed each one making personal choices from their own foundation (not their parents’) from Scripture and with Holy Spirit.

“Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (NIV, Psalms 119:89).

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (NIV, Isaiah 55:10-11).

If you have young children or work with children in any capacity, I encourage you to seek Heavenly Father and prepare to implement a prayed-over, pleasant time of consistent listening to Scripture.

It’s THE best rest time on earth! For children. Parents, too. And for any person — at any season of life.

“And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work” (NASB, 2 Timothy 3:15-17).

Important Postscript:

** If you start now, I advise to start with the Gospels. **

Crystal Wade, © 2025