Recently, the words on a poster captivated my thoughts.
“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”
And as a schoolteacher, I‘ve witnessed the truth in this correlation. I can usually tell when a student has grown up with parents who read for themselves and spend time reading with their children.
Honestly, we can never underestimate the influence of good books and carefully chosen words.
At her request, my teenage granddaughter and I started a tradition this past year. We made a weekly date to study the Bible together, sometimes after a shared lunch at Fred’s Market and sometimes over our favorite frozen mocha frappe at Krazy Kup, the cool coffeehouse in our town.
With her very demanding high school schedule, several times she texted me to rearrange our date: “Hey, will Tuesday work for you this week?” or “Can you study today instead?”
Since our date was one of my weekly priorities, I made every effort to accommodate her timing.
“Thank you, Gaga,” she would always reply.
I suggested The Acts of the Apostles for our first study and we kept it simple. During the eight sessions we took to finish the book, we just alternated turns, reading the divisions in each chapter aloud to each other. Like girlfriends would do, we posed questions and wondered “what if” and “how,” and even discussed bits of information about Paul’s cultural history. Her teen Bible (True Images) had some interesting commentary sidebars she could read to me…and become the teacher in those moments.
We spoke often of the Holy Spirit and how He guides and directs our steps when we listen for His leading. We talked about the comfort, contentment, and peace that He gives when we relinquish our will to God.
As grandmother and granddaughter, we practiced and received the beautiful blessing promised in Revelation 1:3 (NIV)…Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
I doubt Karaline will ever fully understand how much the sound of her voice reading Scripture and her commitment of time has meant to me.
Perhaps one day, when she’s mothering her own children, she’ll remember and know.
Words as Worship 
What a wonderful grandmother you are! I only wish I had one like you while I was growing up. My grandma was a devout Catholic and much of her time was spent saying the rosary and attending mass. I just didn’t get much from that. I don’t recall her reading the Bible, although she may have. I just wish I would have had a mentor in the faith—someone to help protect me from all that I ended up experiencing in my youth from lack of direction. My parent’s were 40 and 41 when I came along, so I only had one grandparent (my mom’s mom) that was local and alive. She passed at the age of 93 when I was 18. But, I know that God has a reason for everything, and if I hadn’t gone through all that I did, I wouldn’t have the testimony that I do. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your heart, and for being a wonderful mentor to your granddaughter. Blessings!
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Thanks for the kind words, Jenn. Being a grandmother to four great young people is one of the joys of my life now…and you can pray with me that there might soon be one more in our future. RJ and I love children and I can’t believe how much we learn from them. Yes, God has a reason for everything, you’re so right. I look forward to hearing your whole testimony one of these days soon. Maybe I need to bring lunch over one day?? I appreciate your reading and commenting on my posts. I am still learning and like Rick said, I consider the blog my writing lab. Welcome in, anytime!
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I am still learning as well, so no worries! 😜 You are more than welcome to bring lunch over one of these days or simply just come by to chat! I am still amazed at all God has done in my life. He is faithful, that is for sure. I look forward to reading more of your blogs! 💗
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Fabulous! I read to my 21 month old grand daughter. This reminds me to read the Bible to her as well as her books. It is so precious when she brings me a book and climbs up on my lap! I pray when she is older we can studt the aBible together. Her parents are pagan so I pray every day for their salvation.
Melinda
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Thank you, Melinda. I apologize for the delay in replying to your comment. Sometimes my brilliant Mac decides to “stack” the mail so it’s easy to miss some messages. What an opportunity you have with your almost-two-year-old granddaughter. Revelation 1:3 promises a blessing to those who hear, read aloud and do the Word! So your reading Scripture will impact her life forever. I am also praying for unsaved loved ones and will remember yours in my prayers as well. Sometimes our quiet and gentle manner does more as a gentle witness than pointed words can ever accomplish. Thanks for reading!!
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Welcome. I’m glad I found you! I never knew, when I passed you in the halls at PCCOG, that one day we would both be blogging!
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