Family Reading

We have been reading a biography on the life of Corrie Ten Boom as a family.  I love these times when we read together.  William, our five year old, usually falls asleep on my lap or beside me...I don't mind because I know he will always remember our evening read-alouds.  As I read a chapter tonight, I couldn't help but burst into tears.  This was the part in the book when Corrie, her sister Betsie, her father, and a couple of other family members were being separated and taken to prison.  She looked back at her father and he was sitting in a chair, waiting to be called.  He look so peaceful and she could not help but wonder if that was the last time she would ever see him again.  As I cried, Joseph asked me why I was crying.  I feel it is so important for our children to see our hearts break for others, so much so, that it may bring us to tears. And yes, we need to do more than cry, but sometimes just reading a book on the harsh realities can be enough...of course, I make sure it is age appropriate.   It may be a historical biography, or the child next door.  I regained my composure and finished reading that chapter...then the next!  My kids always ask for "just one more"!  Many times over the years that "just one more" has turned into an entire book!  After putting the children to bed I called my dad.  I love my dad.  He sacrificed a lot for all of us growing up.  I will forever be grateful for having a dad that raised me to love God, church, and people.