At the Breakfast Table

I am reading a book, you might even say devouring, called Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt. It is full of insight and resources for developing a love of reading in your children as well as using living books to build a rich family connection.

I.love.it. It is only the fact that I borrowed it from my neighbor that is restraining me from underlining, highlighting, and annotating just about every word. And Gladys has a blog, too. Yep, I have been reading it. Even if you are not a teacher or a homeschool nerd like me I encourage you to look into her book. All parents read to their children and have books in their homes (or should anyway). Honey for a Child's Heart helps us know what books our children will beg us to read over and over and over again. And when the books are good, parents enjoy them just as much. I find that people who say they do not like to read have been given bad books to read. Adults, too. When someone finally shares with them a true treasure, the world of reading comes alive and they start living between the pages.

Anyhoo. Back to what happened at the breakfast table and how in the world it relates to Galdys Hunt... One of her assertions is that what parents value and make time for children will in turn view as important. She eloquently tells us to turn off the t.v. for most of the day and spend time exploring life with our kids.

Gladys told me that instead of stalking Pinterest while my children are eating lunch I should read them a Bible story and have fun discussing it with them (not over analyzing it mind you). So today while my three little gals were enjoying pastrami sandwiches and pineapple bits I read them the first chapter out of the The Living Bible Storybook. In case you are not a Bible dork, it covers God creating everything from light and birds right down to Adam and then Eve.

In a sweet and clear way this book discussed the first six days of creation and then the importance of the seventh day of rest. When we finished I followed the lead of Ms. Hunt and told my two older girls to come up with a question to see if Mommy was paying attention to the story. I was thinking they would come up with something silly or really basic because, well, they are 4 and 5. Shame on me! The four-year-old asked me what God said Adam COULD eat, which I thought showed insight. Next, the five-year-old wanted to know why God let Adam name all the animals instead of doing it Himself. Wowsers! That is a deep question. And not just for someone who is five.

Both questions led to a light yet meaningful chat about all the ways that God DOES provide for us even if there are some things He asks us to stay away from in our best interest. We were also able to talk about how God must think we are special because He allows us to be part of His work when really he could just do it all if He felt like it. I am simplifying the messages, but my goodness, can you see how just a short Bible story and two little questions led to such an amazing opportunity for talking about God?

I didn't prepare a lesson or have questions highlighted or written out on post-it notes. Just taking five minutes at the end of lunch reminded me of some important Biblical truths about how much God loves me. And it also showed my children that learning about God is important and fruitful.

I can hardly wait to see what we talk about tomorrow! And I hope by making this a healthy habit my girls will understand that knowing God, studying His Word, and living it out will fill them with a richness that is incomparable.