It's not a parenting book
or great literature
or the usual fare pedaled to us that love Jesus
or anything remotely resembling "how-to" book.
I sort of hate books with steps to success.
Nope, this book crawled into my brain
into my heart
a bit into my marrow
and it's coming out of my mouth
with every conversation I have these days.
If my life was a movie,
if my life was a book,
would anyone want to watch it?
Or read it?
Am I living a good story?
Is it boring?
Is it lame?
Is it selfish?
Is it a waste?
Am I the hero of my story?
Am I a good character?
What if the way I raise my tinies
was more about giving them a good story
to tell,
to live,
than making sure
they obey authority
unquestioningly.
What if it was less about
a clean floor or
never breaking a bone or
brand name baby onesies or
vacations at sanitized resorts?
Will they understand
our story,
and,
how they're part of the grandest story?
A tree in a story about a forest,
perhaps.
What if raising a good kid
wasn't about straight As
or sports trophies
or unwavering obedience
or consistent assent to my views.
(But that would be nice).
Do I want people to compliment my children
for being
obedient
or for
being brave?
Do I want them to be creative
deeply thoughtful
questioning?
Then I might have to put up
with some mess.
So I relax
into His love.
I don't really want my life story
to be about how
I paid off my mortgage
or got another nice car.
I don't really want my kids to say
they could eat off my floor.
That doesn't really
inspire anyone.
I'd rather them say
(if I'm really going to dream
I might as well dream, right?)
that I was creative
smart
a little weird
playful
introspective
peaceful
a lover of justice
and mercy
free
generous
funny
took risks
loved people until it hurt
and then a little further.
I'd yearn for them
my blonde haired
blue eyed
tinies
to have a good story
to tell about
growing up in this family.
And for them to know
they were loved
wildly.
**This is a backwards type of review about an amazing book called "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller. After reading it for the third - yes, third - time in just a month, I can't not talk about it anymore.
And I have a lovely hardcover of the book to give away to one of you, if you'd like. Just leave a comment on this post and you'll be entered to win. Look forward to hearing your thoughts. Winner will be chosen randomly March 12. Open to Canadian and USA addresses only, please.
Just to be clear, I got a free copy for a review from the publisher but I purchased the extra one to give away myself. The link to the book is an Amazon Affiliate link.
