My ten-year-old son loves to write. He seems to have a natural gift for writing fiction, short stories. When he has finished his masterpiece, he always hands it to me to read through. I look forward to the next story that’s going to be placed in front of my eyes. He waits in anticipation for my response, but never in the same room. Often humble in character, there is a fine line between his humility and having confidence in his ability. In the case of his story writing, I believe it’s a mix of the two.
Just a few days ago I was greatly encouraged by one of his stories. He writes with adventure in mind, and his descriptive abilities really come through. You can tell that he reads a lot by the way he writes, and as I’ve learnt myself as a writer, reading should come hand in hand with writing. My son attends a wonderful primary school, the teachers are always looking for ways to bring out each child’s gift. He had to complete a writing project just a few weeks ago. His teacher was very impressed with his writing ability, pointing out that she can tell he reads a lot. It’s true that there is much to be gained by reading. It was a great moment for him and a lovely way for the teacher to build him up.
It’s so important for children, for us to recognise how they shine and to acknowledge it with affirmation. They really need it, in fact, we all do. Encouragement is powerful. Especially in a world that can be consumed with so much distraction and the fast pace that seems to unravel in each day. We really do need to make conscious efforts to slow down and see the world around us, and particularly to see our children. They grow so quickly, and as a mother I want to be part of that growth by planting seeds of goodness into their hearts. I want to nudge them this way and that so to help them and direct them along the right path. As if on a river, not letting the wind pull them towards the current that sends them towards the muddy water but guiding them gently over the little bumps towards the beautiful ripples of water that feed their soul and quenches their thirst, for a life that allows the seeds in their hearts and minds to sprout and flourish. Producing desires in my children that make them excited to learn and stretch and love and experience life with all the fruit that is available for them to receive. The truth is, they will sometimes fall in the muddy water, and discipline will arise out of this, but with a good solid foundation, the light will overcome and they will be pulled out and onto the gentle ripples once again.
Speaking of water, that’s exactly what my son had written about in his most recent story that encouraged me. He began the story with what I believe would capture many of our childhood memories, a beach day. Ice cream, sunbathing, beautiful weather, sandcastles and warm sea. Being a short story, this nostalgic picture of a relaxing, fun filled beach day turned quite dramatically and with great contrast to the scene of a disastrous day. As the story tells, the sea went out much further than usual and suddenly came back in with great speed. A giant wave cast a shadow over the beach and everyone ran, but there was no hope, expect for Tony. This giant wave is described in the story as a tsunami. Tony is a character who believes and trusts in God. He believed that God could save all the people. The tsunami was about to destroy and devour everything in its path, when it stopped suddenly. The giant wall of water hovered above all the hundreds of thousands of people. The tsunami succeeded in swallowing up all the buildings, but all the people were fine. Tony knew in his heart that it was God who was holding the tsunami above their heads, and although Tony couldn’t see God in person, he knew he was there.
I love how reading creates vivid pictures in the mind. A good story makes everything else around you disappear as you enter a world of imagination, deep thought and set the creative part of your mind alight. It’s interesting how the same story can sometimes be interpreted in an individual’s mind in different ways. My son’s story called, ‘Tsunami’, created a vision of a huge wall of water, or wave that was being held up by God protecting all the people. The power of God and his control over everything came through in the story, and I believe it brings to light the awe of God. The story made me think about how sometimes in life everything feels as though it’s falling apart around you. The buildings being swallowed up by the tsunami acting as the metaphor for this. However, no matter what, when you put your trust in God and believe he is with you, he will be your protection. If we look to him and take our eyes off the circumstances we are going through, he will hold up that huge wave that threatens to pull you under. No matter how much everything else seems to be falling away around you, you will still be standing firm on his solid foundation.
My son ends his story with this,
‘No matter where you are or who you are with, God will always be there to help you.’
Your son is very smart and creative! Keep up the great work, Mama! Great post!
Thank you so much !