Umbrella Day | JOY for Today

Happiness is happening to have an umbrella when it rains. JOY is holding an umbrella big enough to share with another.

National Umbrella Day | February 10th Annually

JOY for Today Offerings:

• Did You Know... Five facts about umbrellas.
• Wolfe Stew Connects To the importance of umbrellas.
• Bible Verses and Quotes About umbrellas, coverings, and protection.
• Activity Suggestions Art, books, weather, discussion questions, and family challenge.

UPCOMING HOLIDAYS: 

• National Inventors' Day (February 11th Annually)
• Valentine's Day (February 14th Annually)
• Ash Wednesday (46 Days Before Easter - February 14, 2024)

Did You Know:

1. Umbrellas were first used to protect us from the sun? And, as they were a sign of status, only the wealthy got to use them. (Farmers' Almanac)
2. They date back 3,000 years? Evidence of their existence is found in both China, Egypt, and other civilizations from 3,000 years ago. At that time, the covering was feather, leaves, paper, or silk, with the support being made from cane. (Farmers' Almanac)
3. The Latin root means shade? Umbra, the root of umbrella, can also mean shadow. (Farmers' Almanac & Etymonline)
4. Your umbrella is probably Teflon coated? Not that you should try to cook an egg on it, but the same coating on your frying pan might help keep rain from soaking through your umbrella. (Farmers' Almanac & Xometry)
5. A sombrero is an umbrella hat? Translated as "shade maker" a sombrero features a very wide brim that helps protect us from the sun, serving as a big parasol worn on your head. (Farmers' Almanac)

We'd Love to Know:   

Which fact was new to you?

Wolfe Stew Connects

There's something fascinating about umbrellas - these customizable, portable shelters. Having an umbrella tells the world you're prepared to face whatever comes, and the kind of umbrella you choose reflects a little bit about your personality, too.

A blue camouflage umbrella tells a story of a boy who walks to and from school imagining that the camouflage helps him fade into the surroundings, making him truly invisible. A black, compact umbrella kept in the door of a car signifies a practical person who has precisely what they need, when and where they need it. A large umbrella patterned with alternating rays of yellow indicates a woman who longs to bring out the sunshine, even in stormy weather. While a storm trooper umbrella (that doubles as a light saber when not in use as an umbrella) belongs to a man who seizes every opportunity to find JOY in life.

Really, "all you need in life is food, water, shelter, and sometimes an umbrella." This favorite quote of ours, from a favorite book of ours, Justin Case: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters by Rachel Vail, comes in handy on many occasions. Like when the Mr. thinks he needs a retractable light saber. Or, when our nephew thinks he needs to skip his nightly chore. Or, when I think I need to just get one more thing done. Or, when our brother insists our only needs really are food, water, and shelter - because sometimes we really do need that umbrella.

But maybe we all have it wrong. 

Maybe all we really do need is an umbrella, especially when the umbrella is God.

1. He is a cloud by day, shading us from the harsh rays of the sun. (Exodus 13:21-22)
2. He is a pillar of fire at night, letting us know we aren't alone in the dark and stormy nights. (Isaiah 4:5-6)
3. He is our strong tower where we run for safety (Proverbs 18:10) and is always present when we earnestly call on Him (Psalm 145:18).
4. His love covers our shame, turning our darkness into His holiness (Ezekiel 16:8, 10).
5. He asks us to cover the sins of others with love (I Peter 4:8).

See, all we really do need in life is an umbrella - one big enough to share with others.

In response:

1. Consider who needs to be covered by your umbrella of love. Find them by thinking about who has been hurtful to you lately. Remember: hurt people, hurt people. Hurt is a byproduct of sin, so it is a good place to start when thinking about how to pray. Pray in love for that person and watch as God's umbrella covers them, too.
2. Join us as we study Isaiah. In chapter six we listened as Isaiah accepted God's calling and learned why it's better to stay under His umbrella.

Bible Verses and Quotes 

Bible Verses 

• He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love. Song of Solomon 2:4 NASB
• God's name is a place of protection - good people can run there and be safe. Proverbs 18:10 MSG
• The Lord is good. When trouble comes, he is the place to go! And he knows everyone who trusts in him! Nahum 1:7 TLB
• But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them shout for joy forever. May you shelter them, and may those who love your name boast about you. Psalm 5:11 CSB
• The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 ESV

Quotes

• "We cannot protect ourselves from trouble, but we can dance through the puddles of life with a rainbow smile, twirling the only umbrella we need - - the umbrella of God's love. - Barbara Johnson
• "Until the sun comes out again for you, my umbrella is big enough for two." - Anonymous
• "All you really need in life is food, water, shelter, and sometimes an umbrella." - Justin Case
• "Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us, but it is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf
• "Prayer is asking for rain and faith is carrying the umbrella." - Barbara Johnson

We'd Love to Know:

Which verse or quote would you display on your umbrella?

Activity Suggestions

Umbrella Art

• Match My Personality Umbrella (All Ages): Start with a simple coloring page, like this one from Super Coloring. Have students add details that reflect their personality. Write names on the back. Number each umbrella on the front, display them, and invite learners to match the umbrella to the designer. To make this easier, prepare a numbered list. Have learners write the name of the person they think designed the umbrella next to the umbrella's number (Located on the front, possibly in thick, black marker so it is easy to find).
• Valentine Umbrella Card (All Ages): Use a cupcake liner, punch out hearts, and cardstock to craft this simple umbrella-themed card for Valentine's Day with I Heart Crafty Things.
• 3D Umbrella Art (2nd & 3rd): Krokotak makes this project even easier with printables. First, decorate your umbrellas. Cut them out, fold them up, and glue them to the provided background (or make your own). 
• Multi-Media Umbrella Art (4th-6th): Follow the process from The Core Inspiration to complete a layered, multi-media umbrella project. Plan for two days to finish.

Umbrella Alert

Encourage learners to look at forecasts and find weather patterns to identify when an umbrella is needed. Make an umbrella sign that you can display whenever there is an umbrella alert for the following day.

• PreK-1st: Sort and match clothes (and umbrellas) to the appropriate weather. Record daily temperatures and weather with this Wolfe Stew activity pack or check out the Crafty Classroom for even more weather tracking ideas.
• Second and Third: Learn about why it rains by modeling the water cycle with Playdough to Plato. Then, make it rain (in a jar) using shaving cream with The Happy Housewife or ice cubes with I Can Teach My Child.
• Third to Sixth: Research weather prediction methods and experiment to see which is most reliable. Inventors of Tomorrow offers ideas to build the tools you need to make your very own weather station. Rainy Day Mum asks you not to ignore the signs nature gives for forecasting the weather with this pinecone weather station.

Umbrella Book

Teach your kids about sharing their umbrella with the book: The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates. A simple book with a timeless message. For a faith-based perspective, talk about ways that God is our umbrella.

Discuss "Would You Rather..." Questions

• Walk in the rain without an umbrella or in the sunshine without sunglasses?
• Have a colorful or classic black umbrella?
• Use an umbrella that allows you to fly or float?

If you would like three "Would You Rather...?" questions for every February day, download this Wolfe Stew PowerPoint or get it (for free!) at our TPT store.

Take on the Family Challenge

Talk about someone, maybe another family, who could benefit from being covered in your family's umbrella of love. Brainstorm how to bring that person, or family, in under your umbrella. Choose one idea to start and act on it.

We'd Love to Know:

What umbrella design you would choose and what you hope it communicates about you.

We’re excited to share one more day with you and wish you JOY for Today and HOPE for Tomorrow. 

Your Partners in JOY Finding,

Sample these related posts:

To read more about clothes, coverings, and God's love.

To watch a thunderstorm with Mr. Wolfe.

To connect umbrellas, flags, and banners with love.

To read a youth devotion on umbrellas (from Josh.org)

To witness a personal testimony about God's umbrella (from The Life)

Find even more JOY for Today in our monthly calendars, holiday, and seasonal posts.

*Image credit: Rainy Day by Hansuan_Fabregas at Pixabay