Friday, November 16, 2012

Every story whispers His name...

Whenever we have the Littles at our house, God shows me new things or refreshes old things.  He is so good that way.  I love to read aloud to the grands and so last night I grabbed one of my favorite children's bible storybooks -- The Jesus Storybook Bible -- and told a story.  I chose David and Goliath.  It's funny how little ones can wiggle and fidget around while you are reading, making you think they aren't listening or getting anything at all, but indeed they are.  I remember that with my own children when they were young -- that's God refreshing my memory.  Anyway, after we read that story we read the story of the Nativity, "He is Here!"  The way Sally Lloyd-Jones tells the story is just so amazing to me.  It's so heartfelt, so simple, so easy to hear, and so true.  Listen to the end of the story from the nativity, "Mary and Joseph named him Jesus, 'Emmanuel' -- which means 'God has come to live with us.'  Because, of course, he had." 

After I had finished reading, Peach decided that she would like to read a story to me (and to her little sister).  She always finds the very smallest, old books of mine that are far over her head as far as reading goes, but they are the perfect size for four-year-old hands to hold and they have lots of words written in them which she loves to see.  This little girl does not really know how to read, of course, but she makes up her own stories to pretend-read, and I love to listen to her stories.  The story she told was about how God changed a mean lady into a nice lady because He wanted to.  Woven into the story were words like, "God always wins" and "He loved her and wanted her to be nice" and "God loves people and wants to save them from their sins."  I doubt Peach knows what sins are, but she knows God can take them away.  Another story she told incorporated the shining stars (from the nativity) and how "God makes everything because He loves us."  Spirit-words soaked into her spirit, and life-words spoke through her lips.  I thought to myself, "Truly, out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise... (Matt 21:16)" 

As I thought about this sweet time, I called back to the days when I read God's Word to my own children.  Even to this day they have each told me how they loved that time together, and my youngest who is now 20 years old tells me how he misses that time with me.  I always prayed quietly that God would plant the seed of His Word into my children and let it grow and produce fruit.  Now I am seeing again through new (older) eyes God planting seeds again -- this time in my grandchildren -- and it's a beautiful thing.

If you have Littles in your life, I highly recommend this paraphrased version of Bible stories for children.  I sometimes read it for myself because I like it so much and always, always God shows me something new or something beautiful.  It would make a wonderful Christmas gift for a family, for a grandparent, or for a special child.  It's The Jesus Storybook Bible (Every story whispers his name) by Sally Lloyd-Jones.  Enjoy!

10 comments:

  1. G'day Gumbo Lily. That is a lovely post.Take care. Liz...

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  2. I like the fact that this book for little ones points to Jesus in each Bible story from the Old Testament to the New. Bible story time is a precious time.

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  3. Alistair Begg had this book as his gift in October. I don't have children, nor grands, but now I wish I'd gotten it. It's beautiful!

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  4. Loved this post Jody. I think we all wish for our children to grow to be beautiful adults. A Testimony of Christ is the best thing we can model for them. I loved this sweet post. I have a daughter in Jerusalem right now attending University. She isn't supposed to come home for another Month and I am trusting in the Lord to keep her in the palm of His hand.

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  5. Lovely post, Jody! It makes me wish I had this book when the boys were younger. Maybe I'll get it anyway, for me.

    xofrances

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  6. Oh, Jody! We're experiencing this right now with our five-year-old. Even though this is our fourth child, the wonder of listening to children repeat those "life words" (as you so beautiful wrote) brings me joy and amazement and refreshment every time. I love watching my children "work out their salvation" as Jesus becomes more and more real to them. Maybe what I experience as a parent is a tiny piece of what our Heavenly Father experiences as He watches us!

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  7. I can only imagine how very sweet it is to hear God's truth spoken through your little grands. I love that Storybook Bible and I buy it for every baby shower I'm invited to. Blessings...

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  8. So enjoyable and heartwarming reading your post this morning Jody. The book sounds delightful and I shall order a copy in anticipation of my future grandbabies.
    Sending you love from a cold but sunny England. x

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  9. I miss those story times with my children as well....still I too read to my grandchildren every chance I get :) Its a wonderful bible story book you have shared...blessings

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  10. I have only heard good things about this book and I also recently saw they have a Sunday School curriculum based on it, too, with notes by Tim Keller. Makes me want to teach a class or something. :)

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