In the spring I read the book, Together, by Carrie Ward.  My friend, Monica, brought the book along when she was in CO over Christmas for me to borrow.  So kind of her!  Anyway, I finally got around to reading it and was so impressed.

The book chronicles a young mom as she embarks on reading scripture with her three young children.  Immediately I was intrigued.  I’m always looking for ways to get scripture into my kids’ ears and hearts and was interested.  Then the author mentions that she was convicted to do this because she herself was not spending time in the Word like she wanted to.  Ouch.  I could relate completely.

I long to be in the Word more…for quiet mornings curled up with my bible and a cup of tea.  Sadly, I don’t make time for this enough.  I’m in the Word to prepare for bible study and small group, or on Sunday morning in Sunday school or listening to the sermon during service.  But if I’m honest, I often don’t make the time to read, relish, savor, and memorize God’s Word.  Why is this?

Part of the reason is the season of life I’m in.  I do remember making scripture reading and devotion time more of a priority when I was single and before kids came along.  While caring for young kids is not an excuse for not reading God’s Word, I do think it is more difficult during this season of life.  The children constantly need something.  It just takes a little more planning and creativity to be in the Word during these times.

Memorizing scripture verses together, reading books about God, or asking a friend to keep my kids and using the time to be with the Lord instead of cleaning the house or doing laundry are all things I’ve tried before.  Last week I locked myself in the bathroom with my bible because I just needed a minute.  But actually sitting down and reading the bible WITH with them?  That sounded like too much for the kids.  Or is it?

The author started reading in Genesis with her 2, 4, and 6 year old, and five years later (and one more baby later) they finished the bible in Revelation.  Amazing!  They read one chapter almost every morning and although it took a LONG time, they persevered.  When she questioned whether they were actually hearing the Word in the midst of breakfast and bathroom breaks, she continued on.  Then one day her children began acting out the stories they were hearing.  The author knew then, that they not only were hearing, but also understood the text.

Since the publishing of the book, she’s read through the bible three times with her children.  With each reading comes new understanding and new conversations and questions.  What she’s giving her kids is invaluable and they will remember scripture in a unique and special way because of it.  “I want God’s Word to do its work in me, but I long even more for these promises of scripture to be realized for my children.”

So, the big question…will I incorporate this into our daily routine?  It sounds very intimidating, but I’m very interested.  James and Anna are still pretty young, but I believe they are old enough to hear and understand the Word.

I’m currently praying about this and thinking of various ways it could work with our family.  I’d love to make it part of our evening routine with Dad, but evenings seem to go by so quickly after he gets home from work: dinner, maybe a little playtime, baths, and bedtime.

This book was definitely a great read and a great encouragement to think about this vital part of parenting.