The other night my youngest daughter Kara and I had spent some quality time reading out loud with each other. Afterward, she was reminded by mom that it was time for her to work on memorizing her multiplication facts.
Her response was classic.
She came to me with multiplication table in hand and big “crocodile tears” in her eyes. She said, “Daddy, I hate doing math facts. Why do I have to do them. I’d much rather read with you.” Like all good fathers, I folded – no just kidding : )
Then it came to me…I responded to Kara and said, “I can understand you might not enjoy learning your multiplication facts. However, it’s important for your education. Mom and dad aren’t asking you to learn them because it helps us, we’ve already gone to school. Believe us, hounding you to learn your math facts is no fun for us, but we’re doing it for your good. Learning you times table will help YOU.”
Like all nine year-olds she did it because she had to – so together we worked on it.
The next morning during the time when I read my bible and journal some…it hit me. When it comes to READING THE BIBLE, most followers of Jesus are like my daughter. I know I once was. We often see reading the Bible has something our Heavenly Father requires us to do, and we do it because we’re supposed to.
But what if somewhere along the line we misunderstood why we should read the Bible. Does reading the bible help God? Is God some how benefited by our time in the scriptures?
Much like multiplication facts…reading the bible isn’t because our Heavenly Father needs a refresher, it’s to help US!
For reflection: Psalm 119:5-6
Popularity: 18%
Comments