I've always loved a good story. At some point during my day you will find me engrossed in a story. You are probably imagining me with my nose in a book...I do love to read. But for me story has become so much more.
Today I find myself with a new story perspective. Observing life in a way that points to God's story and our place in it. That's what our mini-Methodist curriculum is all about this year. We are taking an entire school year to learn how the Bible is the most beautiful story ever written. A drama that plays out across the pages of scripture and in the pages of our lives.
We began last week with how God created the world. We heard about each of the seven days. How he created all this wonderful world with his words. We learned that God thought his creation was "very good".
Each week I plan to let you know where we are in the story. How the story applies to us. This week we learn that God calls Abraham to leave his land. Abraham had a choice...to stay...to go. Abraham was obedient and God kept his promise. Through Abraham God births a new nation, a people to call His own.
As God's children we have that same choice. To kids and most adults that word doesn't bring a smile to our face. Who wants to be obedient? Aren't rules made to be broken? Sometimes it is all kids hear about especially at the beginning of the school year. They get to hear about classroom rules and coaches expectations. Not to mention living up to those things their parents require of them. Sometimes as a parent I can get too focused on the one thing my child is NOT doing instead of all the ways they are being obedient.
Want to know how your children define obedience? Make it your dinner time conversation sometime this week. Ask them their opinion about your family rules, or school rules. Giving their opinion doesn't mean you have to change the rule. Let's face it there are some rules we just don't like. Still voicing their opinion in a positive way may give us parents an opportunity to shed new light on the subject. There are times when just talking about an issue changes our entire attitude.
