Soul Care From Your Child’s Bookshelf
Have you ever re-read a favorite story from your childhood and thought, “Woah, were these messages in there the whole time?”
I remember reading The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe to Joshua when he was maybe five or six and having that “Woah” thought. I hadn’t read any of the Narnia books since I was child. (As it turns out, I hadn’t read them all. I missed The Magician’s Nephew.) As a child, I loved the the Narnia books for the fun characters like Mr. and Mrs. Beaver. I remembered loving Father Christmas and the hating White Witch. But I completely missed the Christological imagery in the character of Aslan.
As I read to my son and we arrived at the part where Aslan places himself on the Stone Table in Edmund’s place, I realized what was happening. The analogy of Christ, willingly staying on the cross to die in my place could not be missed. I cried as I continued to read. Aslan dies, of course, and I wanted to shut the book. To throw it away. But, because I know Christ’s story didn’t end in death, I knew this story wouldn’t end in death either. So we read on and, of course, it worked out in ways we couldn’t imagine. (I had forgotten a lot of the story in those decades between childhood and motherhood.)
The Magic of Children’s Stories
Something happens when we read children’s stories. Our hearts are open to messages of love and fear, struggles and redemption in ways that we would never grasp in a Sunday sermon. For myself, I am more prone to be moved by a children’s story than by a story written for adults. Why is that?
A lovely article by Quina Aragon brought new awareness to the power of chilren’s stories for soul care. It has to do with the childhood-ness of the stories more than the story-telling elements themselves.
Whether in picture books or novels, children’s literature reminds us of spiritual realities we’ve studied and debated but not paused to enjoy. Their simplified poetry or prose help our emotionally fatigued hearts to slow down and revel in God’s willingness to condescend to our ash heap of dashed dreams with fresh ones. - Quina Aragon
Whether it’s because we read children’s stories from the perspective of our inner child, or because we lower our guard as we lower our vocabulary, simple stories get past the subconscious barriers we build around our hearts. This makes children’s stories excellent tools in our Soul Care toolbox.
Like prayer, stillness, and solitude, a story written for a child can help us slow down and savor a simple message. We know God can use anything to speak to us (thank you Balaam’s donkey for that lesson - Numbers 22), so of course, He can use a children’s book to carry a message of love to our hearts.
Simplicity is the foundation of soul care.
Therapeutic Benefits
My counselor uses children’s stories as part of each therapy session with my children. We end our time snuggled up on a smallish couch (let’s notice that it’s small on purpose), with a snack pack of Gummy Bears as Kristi reads a picture book slowly. Often, I think, “That’s a lovely way to explain fear.” Or, “I’ll remember to repeat that phrase to my child. I can see it makes sense to her.” Reading children’s stories, even ones that are more appropriate for children younger than mine, appeared to be a sweet, bonding exercise, nothing more. I like a good story and snuggles, so you’d never hear a complaint from me.
It wasn’t until I read Sydney and Norman that I realized children’s books could care for my soul. Yes, they are great for my children, but hold on, they are good for me too!
I discovered Sydney and Norman completely by accident. At the time, I was struggling to understand on a foundational level that God loves me for no reason other than that he chose to love me. I had spent 30+ years being very good at whatever I thought I should be doing. Serving at church. Serving at Bible study. Serving at home. And yet, I felt like it wasn’t enough. No one had told me that, I just knew it. I knew it wasn’t enough because I was miserable and I had no idea why.
Chris had tried to talk me through it. My spiritual mentors had prayed me through it. My counselor had explained why I was going through it. But I couldn’t get my heart to line up with my head. I was stuck in Never-Enough Land.
Surprised by Soul Care
Then I happened upon Sydney and Norman: A Tale of Two Pigs by Phil Vischer. This story is written for 6-10 year olds. Two pigs — One neat and tidy and hardworking and proud of it. One sloppy, late, big-hearted and acutely aware of his shortcomings. They each receive an invitation to meet God. Mr Tidy thinks, “Of course, I must have earned an award. God is pleased with me.” Mr. Sloppy thinks, “Oh dear, I’m in trouble. God must have noticed that I’m a screw-up.” I’m thinking, “Hmm… I don’t see where this is going.” Unbeknownst to me, my heart was wide open, poised and waiting to see what would happen next.
It was God’s will that the first time I read this book, I read it aloud to Chris and Josh while on a road-trip. I didn’t know how it would end. I didn’t know how it would affect me. I just read it. As the story neared the end, I couldn’t believe what God told each pig. I started crying. No, sobbing. I could barely finish reading the book, only whispers came out.
My heart was wide open. There were no hindrances for God’s message of love to make their way into my heart and settle there forever. I finally understood what Chris and my friends had been trying to teach me: God sees me, with all my pride, my failures and my insecurities and he loves me anyway. He loves all of me, the real me. He loves me even when I don’t think he should!
I have never doubted God’s love since then.
Through a story written for children, my heart received the tender care it needed from my loving Father. His message of unconditional love got in. It cemented itself in my heart forever. It is part of me now.
That’s the power of children’s stories as soul care.
Help Yourself
So, the next time you are feeling like your bucket is empty and your soul needs a little tender loving care, head to your child’s bookshelf. Find a cozy corner, bring some chocolate and let the child deep inside your heart hear God’s pure message of love.
Need help? Here are ten of my favorites. (You can click on each picture for more details.)
Ten Soul Care / Children’s Books:
Picture Books:
Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover love cannot be measured. Favorite line: I love you to the moon, and back. (I still say this one to my daughter.)
A baby bird searches for his mother and won’t settle for a substitute. As an adoptive mother, I love how this story can be used to remind us that God perfectly places us in our families, whether or not we look alike. Just like God adopts us as his children forever, the bond between parent-child is permanent.
A little girl chooses to take Corduroy home, despite his broken button. Oh, the message of unconditional love. God loves us, imperfections and all.
In a wildly imaginative game of hide-and-seek, a baby bunny finds that no matter where he goes, mommy will always find him. This book reminds me of how God’s love pursues us. Steadfast love is the best.
Just when she thinks she can’t, all the passengers get off to cheer on the Little Engine. I love the power of community and encouragement that this story highlights. God has work for us to do and part of that is encouraging other believers in the work they are designed to do.
Two pigs, different as can be, are surprised to be loved by God. Same God. Same love. We don’t deserve God’s love, no matter how good or not-good we are. He loves us because He chooses to love us. Oh the sweet, sweet love of God.
Chapter Books:
“Silly ol’ bear.” Whether you feel dumb, gloomy, or just little, this story of a boy’s love for his little stuffed animal friends will remind you that you are lovable. God loves you completely AND he’s given you friends that love you too.
A spider befriends a young pig, saving his life by spinning messages in her web. “Extraordinary.” Messages of self-less love, friendship, and the value given to every one of God’s creations makes this book a classic. I love the message that no matter how little or ugly you may appear, you are valuable and worthy of love and friendship. Also, we all have hidden talents that can be used for serving others.
A boy’s love brings to life a toy rabbit. This is the first book that made me aware of my soul’s need to be seen and loved. Life may wear down our glossy fur coats, but what we look like on the outside isn’t a measure of how loved and valuable we are. We can never be worthless because God’s love makes us worthy.
Novels:
A magical kingdom, a battle between good and evil, and a fearfully wonderful lion who loves and protects If you go looking for it, you will find all kinds of analogies to Christ: his sovereignty, his supremacy, and his sacrificial love for you.
If you feel like you don’t belong and you aren’t worth being claimed by anyone, Anne with teach you how to look for the silver lining, appreciate love where you find it and maybe even bloom where you are planted. The message of being adored by a father-figure and being adopted by God despite being awful and undeserving of His love is my favorite.
Bonus:
While not exactly soul care, there are so many great themes in the LHOP stories that are good for your heart and for conversation starters with your kids, I had to include them on my list. Integrity, honesty, respect and family love… just for starters.
Again, not a soul care book, exactly, but still a book that got past my heart barriers. This is the first book that made me cry. When I recently re-read it to my kids, I cried again…. and I knew it was coming! There is something so pure in the love between boy and dogs in this book. It reminds me of the faithfulness and steadfast love of God for me.
What’s on your Soul Care Bookshelf?
I love sending my subscribers special goodies and encouragement straight to their inbox. One of those goodies is a list of a Playlist for When You Need Comfort. I’d love to send it to you.