I don’t remember having a game night when I was growing up. We did play cards and board games now and then. Scrabble was my mom’s favorite so we played that more often than Monopoly, my brother’s favorite. My brother and I would play Pepito with our coins during the long summers.
During my college days, our Bible study group would take a break from studies by having a game night. We would usually play Uno, charades, or pictionary because other games, especially board games, would bring out the competitive spirit in some people. Those game nights bonded the group and provided an opportunity to invite friends who normally didn’t study with us.
When our kids were young, we attempted to have a weekly game night but most of the time we ended up watching a movie on TV. We didn’t have cable but we had an antenna to catch channels other than the major ones. We were blessed with a local library that had lots of movies to choose from. Sometimes I would play a board game with the kids during the day since I was a stay-at-home mom. Playing games as a family was a fantastic way for our kids to learn about following rules, not giving up, having a strategy, winning, and losing without strangers watching.
Whenever we have a gathering with Scott’s family, there is usually a time for a game and a movie. There was a period when Monopoly, Aggravation, or Princess Uno was the go-to game. Then Mexican Train became the go-to game because it was easy to learn and more than four people could play at once.
Game night was fun and relaxing. It brought us closer as a family because the game made us interact with each other as compared to watching a movie. It’s fun to witness three generations of family laughing together. Now card games are back with Five Crowns as the go-to game.
Do you have a game night? What games do your family play?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the memories of having fun with my family playing games. May we find time to continue the traditions of getting together to bond and enjoy each other’s company. Help us to make time for each other as we get older and live farther away from each other.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Verses
1 Corinthians 9:24 Don’t you know that all runners run the race but only one gets the prize? Run to win.
Hebrews 10:25 Don’t give up meeting together
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Encourage one another and build up each other
2 Timothy 2:5 If anyone competes as an athlete, he won’t be declared the winner unless he followed the rules
Hebrews 12:1 Run with endurance the race set before us
Proverbs 2:6 The Lord gives wisdom and knowledge and understanding
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep
Hebrews 10:24 Consider one another onto love and good deeds
Song
“Feel Invincible” by Skillet is a song the guys in my family listened to a lot when it first got out. It’s a great rally cry when you need to persevere through a tough game.
Call to action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then organize a game night for your family or friends. Let us know how it goes.