When I was in the first grade, I remember an interesting story that occurred in my class about lunchbox notes. We would bring our lunches to school every day and eat at our desks, while our teacher would eat at her desk. One day, a girl named Emily went up to our teacher with a small folded note and asked if she would read it to her. The teacher looked over the note and began to read it in front of the class. It was a sweet note written by Emily’s mom. Emily beamed while the teacher read her note and proudly sat back down at her desk to finish her lunch. The next day something interesting happened. Emily again went up to the teacher with another note from her mother, but this time a few other kids also proudly brought notes for their teacher to read. And by the next day, practically the whole class lined up for the teacher to read notes from their parents as well!
What’s interesting about this story is how a simple note from a parent can make a child’s day. They may seem trivial, and we tend to minimize their impact, but I believe there are several ways lunch notes can make a positive impact on our children.
Notes help children feel loved and affirmed.
All children love to be affirmed. In fact, research shows that using positive, uplifting words actually strengthen areas of the frontal lobe and increase motivation. In Gary Chapman’s 5 Love Languages for Children, he shares five ways children need to feel loved, and words of affirmation are one of them.
Notes are a great way to encourage our kids spiritually.
Tucking a Bible verse and/or faith-inspiring message into your children’s lunchboxes will encourage them in their walk with Christ. Notes such as, “Praying for you today,” “Remember God is with you and loves you,” or “Be a shining light for Jesus” are just a few examples that will help your kids feel encouraged spiritually.
Notes provide a great opportunity for kids to share their faith at school!
Imagine your child opens up her lunchbox and finds John 3:16 written on a note card. Her friend sitting across from her curiously asks what her note says. Your daughter is then able to share the gospel with her friend and get into a spiritual conversation with the kids around her!
Lunchbox notes may seem like one extra chore to check off in the morning, but they can make a big impact. When our children feel more loved and affirmed, our relationship with them will deepen. They will feel encouraged in their relationship with the Lord, and they will have opportunities to share the love of Jesus with their peers at school. All from a simple lunchbox note!
To download some easy notes you can personalize and put in your children’s lunchboxes, click here.
Enjoy!
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
