Story time

Chickie loves it when I tell her stories. One of her favorite parts of our nap and bedtime routine is when I tell her a story about Flame and a story about Jesus. Flame is a fictional orange bear living among black bears; I created him one day when I couldn't think of a fairy tale. The Jesus stories are retold from the Bible.

Flame's life mirrors Chickie's in some amazing ways--the benefits to Mama making up the stories! On Chickie's bad days, the Flame story may be about our lovable orange bear having a tantrum. Recently Flame has had grandparents visit and leave, and he even has a new baby brother who he is learning to touch with GENTLE hands. The nice thing is, the stories seem to "sink in" more than my many lectures. Later, Chickie will mention things I've talked about in the Flame stories (like Mommy getting scared if she doesn't hold my hand in a parking lot), and I've even heard her telling Flame stories to her toys.

Chickie awoke at 5:45 this morning, about an hour earlier than usual. I decided to head up to her room to see if I could get her back to sleep. She was crying because of a very runny nose, so I wiped it, and then I lay down with her.

"Story about Flame," Chickie requested in her sweet, sleepy voice.

Well, stories about Flame are very short when Mommy's been awakened too early, so I said, "One day Flame woke up early because he needed a Kleenex. Mommy got up and got him one, which was fine, but it wasn't time to get up yet, so he went back to sleep, and when he woke up again, it was time to get up. The End."

Not the best Flame story ever, but I guess it satisfied Chickie, because she moved on. "Story about Jesus," was the next request.

"One day," I started, then paused, trying to think of a short story about Jesus...preferably one involving sleeping.

I guess I waited too long, because Chickie finished the story for me. "Jesus went to the library, just like Flame go to the library."

Works for me. Biblical accuracy really isn't too important to me at 5:45 a.m. "Good story," I told her. "Night night."

A daughter who is creative, likes me to read to her and tell her stories, and is interested in Jesus.... I'm so thankful for my little girl!