Valuables

If someone were to ask you...

"What is the most valuable thing you own?"

How would you respond?

Annabelle shocked us with her answer to this question in front of the entire church congregation during children's time this morning. Annabelle almost always wants to answer the questions asked. We see her hand raised and waving constantly because she is so anxious to answer any and all questions. We'll whisper to each other, "Uh oh, she's got her hand raised again." It is frightening the beans she is going to spill in front of the entire church congregation!

Well, this morning, her answer took me by complete surprise. And it literally brought tears to my eyes!

Ms. Cody (to all of the children): What is the most valuable thing you own?

Annabelle: My Bible

We laughed when we got home about how we should tell her to only respond to any of these questions in front of the entire church congregation with Jesus, God, Lord, or Bible. But, we've never had this conversation with her. Her answer was honest and sincere. The girl LOVES her Bible, and she cries at night if she doesn't complete her chores fast enough to read the Bible every single evening. I had decided that maybe it wasn't right for me to take the Bible reading away from her at night since it is so important to read the Bible often. But I've learned that she'll dawdle long enough to forgo anything else, but if the Bible isn't read due to time constraints, it hits home with her.

I know. I am a horrible mom to take away something so precious from her. And I am really struggling with this. So, I need to figure out something that is going to upset her enough to do away with the constant dawdling. And I don't want her privilege to read the Bible to be it. Any ideas?