Leftovers

by Nancy Tichy, Author for KidZ at Heart International

One of the things I love about Thanksgiving Day dinner is the leftovers.

Our gathering was smaller than usual this year, but it was multi-generational, and the fact that we all fit around one table made it special. Like so many families, we enjoyed the opportunity to be together and there was plenty of food. And, of course, we had leftovers. The turkey was bigger than expected and the side dishes large, so each family, myself included, was able to take food home and I’ve been eating well the past couple of days.

In God’s economy, even leftovers are delicious. I think this is true of matters other than food.  His blessings are never given from a stingy hand.  ”So the Word became human and made his home among us. He (Jesus) was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” (From John 1, NLT)

I often refer to the abundance of resources parents today have to equip them for their strategic task of guiding their children into adulthood. These blessings are not difficult to access. Finding time for them is probably the greatest challenge, so we at KidZ at Heart seek out some of the best from the abundance and bring it to your attention. That was the case, in a previous blog entry when we highlighted Catherine Stonehouse and Scottie May’s important book on listening to children.

These authors made frequent mention of a book that I have recommended for a long time. It’s Growing Compassionate Kids by another respected writer on parenting, Jan Johnson (Upper Room Books). First published in 2001, I can find no mention of there being a subsequent printing, so some of the many resources she lists in the end pages may no longer be available, and others, of course, have been added. But this in no way detracts from the value of the book.

The first five chapters explore “Ideas to Get You Thinking” and build the foundation for parental leadership in matters of developing their children’s character trait – compassion. The next twelve chapters are brief explorations of the practical issues – how to go about it. They contain many great ideas from her experiences with her own children, and ideas she gleaned from other parents. Each chapter in the book ends with questions for further thought or discussion, a recommended Scripture for personal devotions, and suggestions for family worship.

I highly recommend Jan Johnson’s book as a companion to Stonehouse and May’s Listening to Children on the Spiritual Journey.  I would place these two volumes in every parent’s library…even better, on the night stand or end table within easy reach. Their combined wisdom on raising children is huge. These two might be considered tasty leftovers from that abundant feast of available resources, but they remain valuable, even essential to anyone who still parents or grandparents young lives.

When Ruth gleaned in Boaz’s field from what may have been the grain deliberately left behind for the poor and brought the results to Naomi, the older woman was delighted. We know the familiar story for it ends by revealing that Ruth eventually became the great grandmother of King David and a figure in Jesus’ genealogy.

How’s that for significance! And from such modest beginnings. How can any of us doubt what the future holds for the ones who are blessed by even the leftovers of God’s providential care poured out upon their growing minds and hearts?  May we be faithful to the task.

…you brought us to a place of great abundance.  Psalm 66:12 (NLT)