Matthew 19:14 – Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (NIV)

"Tell me the story of Mama patting the skunk." "What about the time that Digby caught the mouse?" My grandchildren love hearing the stories of my childhood, or that of their parents. As we snuggle down for bedtime stories, they enjoy hearing me read the traditional books, but can't wait for them to end so that they can ask for one from real life. I, too, have wonderful memories of hearing my dad tell stories from his childhood. My mother would groan and say that we've heard that story before, but in the repetition was the love — the love of our father for us — the love of us for our father. I remember his stories, as I hope my grandchildren will remember mine.

The Bible is full of stories from the life of Jesus. They were passed down by His disciples in love — love for Jesus and love for His followers. Jesus as a boy in the temple. Jesus walking on water. Jesus breaking bread at the Last Supper … so many beloved stories. We learn them in Sunday school. We sing about them in church. Hopefully, we pass those stories along to the next generation and the next. They are our family stories, the stories of our family of God.

Jesus was a great storyteller when He wanted to instruct His followers. The parable of the sower, the prodigal son, the lost coin, the fig tree … We hear these stories, learn from them, and remember them. The children were drawn to Jesus, and I suspect that His storytelling ability was part of the reason. I would love to have been one of those children gathered at His knee!

So, tell the stories. Repeat them to your children and grandchildren. Tell them to the kids in your Sunday school class. Sing them out loud as you go about your chores at home. Make them part of your everyday life. Keep the stories of Jesus alive, and in so doing, keep your faith alive and growing.

Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
Things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here;
Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.
       – William H. Parker

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we hear Your stories and remember them. Use them to teach us what we need to know to live godly lives. Use them to comfort us when we feel lonely in our faith. Help us to pass the stories to others, that they may learn them, too. In the name of Jesus, the greatest storyteller of all, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Mary Ellen Miller <mem1955@sympatico.ca>
Hillsburgh, Ontario, Canada
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