Adventures in Parenting

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting Sally Lloyd-Jones, author of (among other books) The Jesus Storybook Bible. As we discussed how to convey truth through literature, she quoted the opening line of Emily Dickinson's short poem Tell all the truth, but tell it slant. That is a wonderful way of capturing what makes great literature and poetry compelling.

For your pleasure, here is the poem in full:

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant---
Success in Cirrcuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightening to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind---

For more reading pleasure, check out Sally's blog.

From our catechism:

What is the eighth commandment?
The eighth commandment is, You shall not steal.

What does the eighth commandment tell us to do?
To be honest and to work hard to look after ourselves and others, and to respect the property of others.

When I asked the second question, Elisabeth answered:

"To be honest and work too hard . . ."

She's already catching onto the protestant work ethic.

Just over two weeks ago, I stood at my mother-in-law's bedside and watched her die. In that moment, I recalled an encounter between Elisabeth and Grandma.

About two years ago, I was repainting an apartment with some friends, and Grandma and Pop-pop arrived to take Elisabeth out to the park and away from the fumes. When they stepped through the door, Elisabeth squealed with delight, "Gwandma!" and ran and jumped into Grandma's arms.

One of my painter friends said to me, "That is the way I want my relationship with God to be: one of pure delight, jumping into His arms."

That is what Grandma did two weeks ago, leaving her bed-ridden body to jump into Daddy's arms. And though Elisabeth won't be able to jump into Grandma's arms, she'll cherish those memories . . . and so will I. One day, I trust, we too will jump into His arms.

When we left for vacation a few weeks ago, I neglected to pack Elisabeth's children's Bible, and her catechism. When we were gone, we got out of the good rhythm we had established. So when we returned home, one of my first steps of repentance was to return to the pattern of regular family worship.

On the first night that we had family worship, the song we used was Seek first His Kingdom, and I was convicted. How can I do that more practically at home than by reading, praying and worshiping together daily?

This week I pulled out a book of poetry that Elisabeth had received as a gift. I began to read The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson, and Elisabeth chimed in and completed the poem from memory.

I think it is hard to overestimate the teaching power of rhyme and song.