Story Time

All of my life I have enjoyed story time. My mother would often read to me, and my paternal grandmother would tell me a story or read a children’s book at bedtime.

I remember many times asking her to tell me a story. I enjoyed those stories so much I looked forward to bedtime when we stayed with them.

My paternal grandfather would tell me stories of forgotten times and adventures of hunting and fishing trips, stories of his youth and the oil fields and life during and after the Great Depression, and ranch work while we were out and about.

I always appreciated their time and the love they showed me by sharing stories and reading to me. In fourth grade my teacher Mrs.Rush would read to the class 30 minutes a day. Mrs. Rush was a wonderful storyteller.

Her reading was not a monotonous reading—there was inflection and emphasis, and intrigue and suspense in her voice that was captivating to me.

I cherished that time she gave to us students, but more personally, that time she gave to me had great value in my life and always has.

I loved story time! Some of my older relatives and friends of my grandparents would tell stories and share memories of times gone by, and I would hang on every word. I remember one friend of my grandfather’s by the name of Joe Grey.

I loved hearing him and my grandfather reminisce of their life experiences and I always was glad to see Mr. Grey come by for a visit.

As I grew older, I would listen to a radio program from a station out of Oklahoma City that played Saturday nights at 11 pm. Even as an older teen, I would make sure I was home early so I could listen to that radio drama program.

Of course, loving story time so much, after I was saved the stories in the Bible held my attention. Enjoying and loving them so much, I gained a depth of knowledge from them that I would have probably missed if they were not stories of God and God’s men.

The parables have dwelled in my mind and my heart so deeply, they have given me sight (eyes to see) and I have gained wisdom from them.

The Creation story, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, the teachings in Numbers, the story of the Exodus, the books of Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and the rest of the major and minor Prophets, the birth of John, the birth of our Lord Jesus, the life and miracles of Christ, the Apostles, the teachings and parables that Jesus told, and many other portions of the Scripture excited my mind and had me eager for more, compelling me to read, listen, and learn more and more.

The Scripture is a great mystery, and it intrigues me and increases my desire to learn more to this very day. I read, listen, learn, and pray. The more I pray, the more I learn, and the more I learn, the more I pray. This to me is what true Joy is!

Speaking with my best friend and Pastor yesterday I said, “when I get to Heaven I want to sit down with Jesus and ask Him ‘Lord, please tell me a story’”. Can you imagine - story time with the Lord our God?

This, I believe, is seeking the things above! I look so forward to hearing the voice of my Lord Jesus tell me a story!

I pray that everyone who reads this will gain the desire that I have for the Word of God. You will then know a blessing beyond imagination. Amen

Kenneth Kellar
A Man Called by God to Teach and Disciple