At almost every family holiday, reunion, or get-together, the kids run off and play while the adults sit around and talk. (Talk. Talk. Talk. Boring. Boring. Boring.) If you do sit still long enough to chat, usually the older people ask you about your day, how school is going, and what hobbies you are into. As soon as you’re done talking, you run off to play again.
Job (pronounced Jōbe), who lived about four thousand years ago, knew that kids need to listen to people who are older than them: “Ask the people of past generations. Find out what their ancestors had learned. We have only been around since yesterday, and we know nothing. Our days on earth are only a fleeting shadow. Won’t their words teach you? Won’t they share their thoughts with you?” (Job 8:8-10).
While you are having fun with your cousins, which is super fun, be sure to include your elders. The next time you see your grandparents or aunts and uncles, be sure to take a few minutes to learn from them. It’s a time to listen and to get instruction and understanding.
Chomp on this!
Don’t know what questions to ask? Live too far away and don’t get to see your elder relatives in person? Call them or send them a letter and use these questions to listen to their wisdom:
What is your favorite Bible passage?
Who first told you about Jesus?
What chores did you do as a kid?
What was your most embarrassing moment?
What’s the most important lesson you have learned?
What is your favorite family tradition?
Whom do you admire and why?
