“Mom, can I play on the iPad?”  Sydney asked but before I could utter a word, a little voice next to me said “Did Syd read the Bible yet?”  Tristan, who also loves playing on the iPad, looked up from the open Bible in front of him, his question still lingering in the air.

I looked at Syd, my eyebrows raised and my eyes clearly revealing my thoughts, as she stood saying nothing.

At our house the rules for the boys in the morning is that they need to read the Bible first before anything else; tv, video games, movies… and they are very good at getting their reading done.  They don’t read a huge amount, they’re still pretty little, but it started out as a verse in Proverbs and a verse in John (relevant to that day’s date) but now they’re up to five verses in each book.

The girls don’t have the same rules, only because they tend to sleep in a bit later, so they are able to do their quiet time at their convenience.  I know Sam prefers reading at night before bed, but Syd??  Well, apparently I now know the answer.

“Hmmm…” I hummed as I looked at her and with a sigh she sat at the table, opened the Bible and began to read.

“I’m done” she said standing, “now can I play?”

“Already?!!”  I said incredulously, “What did you read?”

“Proverbs 11,” she retorted.

“The whole chapter??”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Syd,” I said “if you want to get to know someone you need to spend time with them.  You talk to them, listen to them and learn about them. This is God,” I said holding out the Bible between us “the Word, THIS Word, is Jesus and you can only get to know Him better by reading it.”

“Why don’t you read the Bible?” I questioned.

She stood in silence, her gaze staring off…far from me.

“Syd,” my voice startled her.  “Why don’t you read?”  I could see the struggle within her about how she should answer.  I encouraged her to be honest, I was only asking why, when she finally sat and said;

“Because it’s boring and confusing.”

“I know, Babe.” I nodded, acknowledging and completely understanding her.  “But,” I said  “if you pay attention and continue reading, God will reveal something to you. Why did you pick Proverbs 11?” I asked

“I don’t know” she said with a shrug.

“Well, then there’s something God wants you to learn if that’s what He had you open.”

We read through the chapter, a wonderful proverb revealing God’s views of righteous living and wisdom.  A great read showing how to live our lives with regards to money, pride, honesty, people, looks, possessions, wisdom… also exposing the fate of choosing the ulterior.

What a perfect chapter for God to lead her to.  A chapter revealing so much truth, so much guidance and insight into how God wants us to live our lives…and it can only be found by reading His Word.

God is not far away.  He has given us an amazing play-book of which to make our decisions and choose our moves.  When we are lost or feeling forgotten, we need to look to Him for guidance through His Word and to those who have gone before us and learned from His teaching.

Pick up your Bible, it’s your move.

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls.”   Proverbs 11:30

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