The Stranger

 

 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ~Deuteronomy 6:6,7 (NIV)

Some of my favorite books are illustrated with photographs. Nature is my favorite subject. Carl R. Sams II & Jean Stoick do a great job of capturing nature and children in both story and photography.  Sharing books with our children is a great opportunity for prime time and to teach lessons in easy almost unexpected ways.  

Stranger in the Woods was my first introduction to Sams and Stoick's books.The animals discover a stranger in their woods one morning. When did he come? How did he get there? Two children built the snowman to provide for the animals in the cold snow of winter. The animals are afraid. Who would approach the stranger first? Would the others follow? 

At first a few animals followed the chickadee to the stranger. They found food from the snowman's head to his toes. Their joy in finding food encouraged others to follow. They were filled and went away thankful for the stranger.

How had the stranger provided the food for the animals? From his red hat and outstretched arms. Even his nose was edible. Food at the base also provided for those willing to dig deeper. The children know the snowman will melt as the weather warms but they plan to provide for the animals until then. 

So how can we use this story to help our children understand more about the way we can recognize the Lord in our everyday lives? 

Jesus is the visible part of the trinity sent as our "stranger". He came to give himself for us with outstretched arms and a crown of thorns. He is the very breath of Life, the bread of Life and the Water of Life for all who will come to HIm.  

One of the children asked how long they would feed the animals. The other replied with visions of springtime when the earth would be renewed. Jesus promises us a time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth. A place where there will be no more tears. Until then He will provide for us. 

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. ~Isaiah 65:10 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, thank you for providing salvation for us and supplying our every need. Thank you for your promise of eternal life in the new heaven and new earth. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Hey Kids:

What stories have you read that you can relate to a Bible story? Some are easier to do than others. Other stories by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick would be good starters. Fairy Tales and poems are also easy to work with. Give it a try and let us know what you discover this week.