Listening as an Act of Love

A few weeks ago, I posted a book about listening to godly sounds. Violinist Joshua Bell playing in a subway was the story in that post. Check it out HERE. Today’s listening is about perhaps the most holy kind of listening we humans can do... listening to a family member, friend, or even a stranger who is hurting. This is the best book I know about that holy practice. Like other excellent picture books, it is rich with tender meaning and encompasses all kinds of humanity, including humor, in its clever images and words.

Picture Book: The Rabbit Listened

Author & Illustrator: Cori Doerrfeld 

Summary: Taylor, a young child, begins to build “something amazing.” This wise author doesn’t use pronouns so Taylor can be whoever you want. Disaster strikes and all blocks fall! Taylor does too.

A series of animals comes to help Taylor cope. There’s a chicken that talks too much, an angry bear that wants to yell on Taylor’s behalf, and an elephant who wants to help Taylor remember. The ostrich’s strategy is predictable! The snake’s suggestion made me ssssmile.

“But Taylor didn’t feel like doing anything with anybody.” Yay, Taylor for knowing that! Once finally alone and in the quiet, Taylor is quietly joined by a rabbit. We don’t know if they are friends. Does it matter? After the silence, Taylor asks the rabbit to stay. Then the rabbit listens and listens and listens. Now that Taylor is ready, some of the responses that were suggested earlier now feel just right. Taylor vents, blames, and remembers. Again, “When the time was right,” Taylor details plans to build again. The rabbit listens some more as Taylor dreams of an even more amazing build next time.

Hanna’s Comments: Did you think of yourself as you heard my quick summary? I hope so! Did you think of others who have tried to help you, but the timing or remedy wasn’t right? They didn’t come in quiet, did they? Long ago, I remember hearing Krista Tippett on the On Being podcast interview Parker Palmer about a terrible bout of depression during which he was in the bed for days, maybe weeks. A friend came regularly to give him a silent foot rub. Wow! What love! What empathy! What a godly neighbor!

Original Publisher: Dial Books, 2018

Age Appropriateness: 3 and up

Formats other than Book: Audio & tablet

Scripture Connections: Any scripture about God being a comforter and listener. So many! The great commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself! Any Jesus story where his first response is to listen. Ruth and Naomi, because they were present for each other through a difficult series of tragedies and a long, dangerous journey! I bet they took turns listening. Why don’t we talk about their journey more?

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: I have listed this book for 4 lessons in my 3-year RCL-based Trinity Treasures preschool curriculum. Those 4 lesson themes are: The Trinity: Our Helpers, God Hears Cries, God’s Mothering Love, and Ruth & Naomi.

PBT Applications: Read this book to a group of young parents or teens. Then talk about the power of being present to (and not immediately fixing) another’s pain. Then you LISTEN as they tell stories of listening, not listening, and not being heard. Together vow to do better because it is a godly practice, good for all of us. 

One more thing: (forgive me) I know a few pastors who could use this book. There's a gift idea! 

If you are interested in learning more about my Trinity Treasures, a scripture based preschool Sunday school curriculum that features picture books & children’s Bibles, contact me at hannaschock@bellsouth.net. Right now, free lessons are emailed if you agree to fill out the monthly feedback form.

Faith Based Resilience

Picture Book: The Hugging Tree:                                                                     A Story about Resilience

Author: Jill Neimark

Illustrator: Nicole Wong

Summary: This book is a poetic story about The Lone Cypress, a world-famous tree and tourist attraction in California. 

But it is much more than that. The author offers a rich consideration of this tree being a symbol of resilience. 

She begins with an entire page that does my work for me. 

She explains the concept of resilience and connects this book to The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. You’ll find my post about that classic [here]. 

Because the tree is personified in the story, there is struggle and relationship. 

As you would expect, the tree grows, suffers through bad weather, 

clings to the its rock, offers beauty, creates a home for others, and endures despite its circumstances.

You’ll also find in the back a very thorough and helpful Note to Parents and Caregivers written by Dr. Elizabeth McCallum. Note that there is another picture book by this name.

Hanna’s Comments: As a school psychologist, I have been fascinated by the research on resilience. In my work, I have not only connected the research to children but to adults and even congregations. Don’t limit your use of this book to children or teachers. Having faith based programming about what makes a child, adult, or congregation more resilient can have long-lasting results and encourage the good outcomes that resilience offers. There is much overlap with the resilience research and faithful ideas. For instance, in this book you see a community quickly surrounding and helping the tree. There’s the rock, the moon, birds, and a boy. 

These characters make strong connections with the tree. 

Having empathy and making meaningful connections are central to resilience just as they are central to a well-functioning family of faith. 

Be sure to show your audience an actual photo of The Lone Cypress which can be found easily on-line [here]. If you need more reasons to read this book to others, note that the publisher is The American Psychological Association. Here’s a warning: I found reading this book awkward. The poetry is tricky. You may choose to read it as a story rather than trying to figure out the meter and rhyme scheme. Either way, practice before you have an audience. The book is worth the effort!

Original Publisher & Date: Magination Press, 2016

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9); suffering produces endurance… (Romans 5:3-5); in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Romans 8:37); Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. (Ephesians 6:10); God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love… (2 Timothy 1:7); count it all joy (James 1:2-4)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book in a lesson about resilience to a faith based, adult small group that is concerned about their future together.

New Blog Series - PBT's Grab & Go #2

Here's another secular book, already featured on PBT, that is super easy to use in sacred settings. Just read my post below, grab the book, and go. Consider your audience when deciding which to offer first, the story or scripture. Then simply encourage your listeners (children or adults) to find the connections and consider where the holiness is in these wonderful pages. 

Picture Book: A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Author: Philip C. Stead

Illustrator: Erin E. Stead

Summary: Amos is a volunteer at a zoo where he has hilarious daily rituals with specific animals. The day he doesn’t show up, a group of his animal friends rides the bus to his home to check on him and engage in those important rituals. Because of Amos’ low energy, some rituals have to be adapted. Soon all are ready for a good night’s sleep at Amos’ house, all snuggled in together.  

Hanna’s Comments: This story is full of ministry applications because Amos and the animals are so attentive and present with one another in their rituals. Additionally, the story and illustrations are hilarious! It would be a wonderful gift for someone who is recuperating from an illness or a grandchild whose grandparent is ill. I recently read this book to an adult Sunday School class and they loved it! There were obvious connections between Amos’ daily inclinations and the way Jesus would meet people right where they were and give healing and attention.
Original Publisher & Date: Roaring Brook Press, 2010

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Preschool and up

Formats other than Book: Audio book

Scripture Connections: The Woman at the Well (John 4), 3 of the Beatitudes – Blessed are the meek, the merciful, and the pure in heart (Matthew 5)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book as a part of a Stephen Ministry (or any caregiving) training. For children, this book could help explore subjects of honoring and respecting elderly family members or church members.