Listen Now
What a fantastic time of year! For most of us it means cooler days and trees changing colors. It is also the time when kids go back to school, which adds more structure to our days. Structure isn’t a bad thing because it helps us manage our days, accomplish our tasks, and still have time for the little things that make us happy.
Joselyn Ward shows us how to have stress-free mornings with just a little planning the night before. And speaking of nights, no one likes nightmares, and we don’t want our little ones suffering through them. So help guard their minds by controlling what they watch on TV. Teacher Julie Livingood (just love that last name!) explains why slasher and horror movies aren’t appropriate for kids to watch. Just because it’s available doesn’t mean that it’s good. We have to make choices about what is good and best for our eyes to see and our minds to think about.
Psalm 101:3 is a good guideline for anyone of any age. “I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.” Verse 6 goes on to teach, “I will search for faithful people to be my companions.” The Bible helps us know how to live. If you’re like a lot of people, you may not have read the Bible much and you might find it difficult to understand. So let me tell you a little secret of mine. I learned most of my Bible stories from a children’s Bible story book!
It’s true. It all started when I was little. Everyday before school my mother would read a Bible story to me and then pray with me. I even remember one day in sixth grade being mad at my parents because they insisted we have devotions (that’s what people call reading your Bible and praying) even though it meant being late to class. Now I realize devotions were a top priority for my parents and NOTHING would change it — not even if I fooled around and made myself late! God always came first.
As I grew up, those Bible story books became part of my library. I read them again and I learned so much. Then I read them with my Bible open to where the stories were found. I learned the Bible stories just like I learned how to do a math problem — one step at a time. That’s how we learn what’s in God’s Word.
So just take it a step at a time. I started with a Bible story book. Start with what interests you. Then ask God to help you understand. Pray with your kids that God will take care of them and help them learn. Make this part of your daily habit, whether in the morning or night. I guarantee that it’s one of the BEST habits you could ever start!
Crystal Wacker
Editor
