The Little Engine that Could

One of the activities that Grafton and I love doing together is reading books.  I happen to love Children's Books (which is a good thing since my degree is in Elementary Education) and started reading to him when he was only 4 months old.  

Every night at bedtime I let him choose two books for us to read. He will usually pick the same two books every night for a few weeks and then move onto something new.

His current favorite is the classic "The Little Engine that Could" by Watty Piper.

I love reading this to him because it is the first book I remember my kindergarten teacher reading to me.  As a five-year-old, I was so impressed by the little engine who took on the almost impossible task of pulling heavy train cars filled with toys and food for children over a mountain when all of the "important" engines scoffed at them and went by.

I am still inspired by this story because it reminds me of the power of the spoken word.  Even though this task seemed impossible, the little engine kept saying, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" until he reached his destination.

There have been several times in my life when I have been faced with tasks that seem too difficult.  That's when I recite Philippians 4: 19 "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me."  I cling to this verse the same way the little engine clung to his simple saying.

I love how the Lord teaches and encourages me in the midst of basic mother & child activities. Who knew you could get a spiritual lesson out of "The Little Engine that Could"?

This makes me excited to find out what Grafton's next favorite bedtime story will be!