PARENTING August 6, 2007 Issue

THE BIBLE AS A TIMELESS PARENTING TOOL

BUNI JEANNE LANE

THE BIBLE has always been important to me. As a child, my grandmother taught me the value of turning to it for guidance and healing. I felt this teaching gave me a deep appreciation and understanding of God's goodness and care for all of His creation. So naturally when my daughter, Sara, was born, I wanted to share that same appreciation with her.

From an early age, I made sure Sara's bedtime routine included hours spent discussing Bible stories. I'd tell her a story, and then we'd talk about how we, too, could be strong or good like the story's character. She would listen quietly and ask questions. And I'd listen for inspiration to answer in ways she could understand.

I recall one evening discussing the story of Samuel when he was a young boy and distinctly heard God speaking to him. Sara asked, "Can we hear God out loud, too?" (see I Sam. 3). As I answered her, I realized that both the Bible and Science and Health, by Mary Baker Eddy, teach that God speaks to everyone, but that like Samuel, we each need to listen for that "still small voice."

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