As a child of the flannel-graph Sunday School era, thank you for this! I was reflecting on flannel-graphs recently and trying to put my finger on why they stuck to my heart in such a formational way (even though the same character was used for Moses and Elijah and John ;) ). This puts language to what I was wading through.
Beautiful words Josh, thank you for this! It's something that's been on my mind too. How to see past the current situation? How to find God and His provision beyond the debts and negative balances? These are, for me, the situations that really put my faith to the test. Not the things that are unseen (though I should be more sensitive to them, perhaps), but the things seen. The things that are demanding my full atention and worry. Where to find the manna and quail? (Also, sometimes your writing style reminds me of A.W. Tozer. Is he an influence of yours?)
Some of the foundations of my faith have been built upon through curating craft time in my children’s church as a teen. At 31, reading this reminded me fondly of those times. Of the simple and humble pillars of my faith that I have forgotten. There is something to be said for the faith we are given through the instruction of a child. While you sat crisscrossed engrossed with admiration for the felt stories of the Sunday school teacher, I would bet that she sat engrossed with admiration for the role she was able to play and for what it gave her in return.
Life is the result of the narratives we believe, and the narratives on the flannel graph are still in my psyche too. I am so thankful. I like how you remind us here how the stories we tell children aren't met with a hundred skeptical questions but with faith and wonder. It is crucial then, that the stories we tell children are True. Not realistic necessarily, but True.
As a child of the flannel-graph Sunday School era, thank you for this! I was reflecting on flannel-graphs recently and trying to put my finger on why they stuck to my heart in such a formational way (even though the same character was used for Moses and Elijah and John ;) ). This puts language to what I was wading through.
Beautiful words Josh, thank you for this! It's something that's been on my mind too. How to see past the current situation? How to find God and His provision beyond the debts and negative balances? These are, for me, the situations that really put my faith to the test. Not the things that are unseen (though I should be more sensitive to them, perhaps), but the things seen. The things that are demanding my full atention and worry. Where to find the manna and quail? (Also, sometimes your writing style reminds me of A.W. Tozer. Is he an influence of yours?)
Some of the foundations of my faith have been built upon through curating craft time in my children’s church as a teen. At 31, reading this reminded me fondly of those times. Of the simple and humble pillars of my faith that I have forgotten. There is something to be said for the faith we are given through the instruction of a child. While you sat crisscrossed engrossed with admiration for the felt stories of the Sunday school teacher, I would bet that she sat engrossed with admiration for the role she was able to play and for what it gave her in return.
Life is the result of the narratives we believe, and the narratives on the flannel graph are still in my psyche too. I am so thankful. I like how you remind us here how the stories we tell children aren't met with a hundred skeptical questions but with faith and wonder. It is crucial then, that the stories we tell children are True. Not realistic necessarily, but True.
I grew up on flannel graph teachings! Thanks for sharing!
I loved this piece - just beautiful. And you gotta love a Lewis quote. Can't wait to read more!