I have no idea how the story ended. In fact, I don’t even remember what the story was about but that’s never the issue.
I was listening to James read me a story last night before he went to sleep and about half way through the book our phone rang. I told James I’d be back and I went to grab the call.
I chatted on the line for a little while and then headed back to find James sound asleep. It was a real disappointment. I really enjoy that time together just before James nods off and I’d missed it. The good news is that James kind of made up for it this morning by reading me a couple of other short, school reading books.
In a world filled with chaos and bad news it’s great to find joy in the small things like reading with a child. The story isn’t as important as the time we spend together.
I get the feeling that it’s a bit like that when we spend time with God. We’ve spent so much time trying to tell the right story and correct everyone who reads it a little wrong that we’ve forgotten that God is just like a dad who wants to spend time with his kids.
Of course the story’s important but when all we focus on is the story we miss the beauty of the relationship.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
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Rodney, that is just about the best analogy I’ve read in a long time. Beautifully told emotive story with a real punchline.
Thanx 🙂
That is so true…
We used to do “family reading” where we all sat together every night and read a chapter book out loud. (Each person took a turn reading one entire book, over the course of several weeks or even months. My son even took his turn, reading shorter chapter books at his level.) It was a wonderful family experience, which we all remember fondly. We did family reading for about 7 years, until schoolwork really made it impossible.
When the most recent Harry Potter book was released, my son asked if we could read it out loud. It was fun to return to an old tradition like that, even just for a month.
Wow. I love the family reading idea. We’ll have to choose a book and get started.
Awesome Bro……I remember those special times with my kids before they went to sleep.
Thankfully, because of those times, I can enjoy some awesome discussions with my now adult kids.
A great relationship with your teen or adult child begins with listening while he reads you a story or tells you what is going on in his life and you listen with patience and great interest.
Really a delight, friend.
That brings a lot of memories of the time when I read stories after stories to my daughter. She is now a teenager. And now, I am reading to my 10-year-old boy.
Thank you for the thoughts.
Yan
Hi Rodney
I seam to be visiting your blog much more frequently and find myself pleasantly surprised at how your writings touch me.
I remember so clearly the wonderful times listening to my children read and marveling at the way they were learning so fast.
Now they are grown up I cherish the time that we occasionally get together. My youngest (17 years old) who lives with her mother came over for dinner last night. She sat and talked with me afterwards, the pleasure I felt in that time of conversation and sharing was just like you described your time with your son James.
Our children are truly a gift from God, and every moment with them is a blessing to us.
Wow! That is such an awesome picture. I needed that today. Thanks.