We've talked a lot in church, in our life group, and in our own home about giving God the best of our time, talent and treasures. I love how God often uses my children to show me the lessons he wants me to know.
Last weekend, we bought Hayden a new Bible. He had outgrown is toddler bible in his capacity to understand and when we saw this one we knew he would love it. He's been carrying it around all week, asking for stories from it, and telling almost everyone he encounters how he got a new Bible.
This morning he asked to read the story of the Greedy Guy (Luke 12:13-21). It's a story about sharing, which is fitting for a home with two small children. Alice, Hayden and I sat and read the story together and talked about things we could share with God. Then Hayden decided we should play the "Greedy Guy Game."
So we acted out the story several times, taking turns playing the roles of the guy and God, using treasure found within our playroom. It lead to great discussion on what happens to all of our treasures once we are no longer on the Earth, and Mommy suggested an alternative ending for the Greedy Guy in which we imagined what would have happened if he had obeyed God and shared his treasures. Needless to say, Mommy's happy ending did not appeal to the boisterous sense of my 4-year-old who preferred the action of dropping dead the very night when you choose not to share.
Even Alice got in on the fun, walking around calling a toy that had been basically cast aside in our play room a treasure. And while Hayden and I were acting out the story, she picked up his Bible and flipped through other stories.
It's been so much fun, so much learning, and an incredible blessing to be given the gift of time so that I can take advantage of these precious learning situations. Hayden has so many questions that could easily be brushed aside in the midst of the fullness of life so I'm learning to savor these quieter mornings and pour into both of the kids and answer their questions (often while praying for the answer) to the best of my ability as my children learn to the love the Lord and understand his role in their own little lives. They are our greatest treasure and I am blessed that they are integral in shaping my own personal talents in raising them!
Last weekend, we bought Hayden a new Bible. He had outgrown is toddler bible in his capacity to understand and when we saw this one we knew he would love it. He's been carrying it around all week, asking for stories from it, and telling almost everyone he encounters how he got a new Bible.
This morning he asked to read the story of the Greedy Guy (Luke 12:13-21). It's a story about sharing, which is fitting for a home with two small children. Alice, Hayden and I sat and read the story together and talked about things we could share with God. Then Hayden decided we should play the "Greedy Guy Game."
So we acted out the story several times, taking turns playing the roles of the guy and God, using treasure found within our playroom. It lead to great discussion on what happens to all of our treasures once we are no longer on the Earth, and Mommy suggested an alternative ending for the Greedy Guy in which we imagined what would have happened if he had obeyed God and shared his treasures. Needless to say, Mommy's happy ending did not appeal to the boisterous sense of my 4-year-old who preferred the action of dropping dead the very night when you choose not to share.
It's been so much fun, so much learning, and an incredible blessing to be given the gift of time so that I can take advantage of these precious learning situations. Hayden has so many questions that could easily be brushed aside in the midst of the fullness of life so I'm learning to savor these quieter mornings and pour into both of the kids and answer their questions (often while praying for the answer) to the best of my ability as my children learn to the love the Lord and understand his role in their own little lives. They are our greatest treasure and I am blessed that they are integral in shaping my own personal talents in raising them!
