I’ve always loved the allegories and parables from the Bible. I remember fondly learning about them at St. Colette School and at St. Colette Church.

I always liked them as they taught us so much about God, his love, and his wishes for us.

As I grew up and as my love of reading continued to grow, I was always fascinated by storytellers. I was intrigued by hidden messages in texts.

In elementary school, I couldn’t get enough of the “Just So Stories” by Rudyard Kipling. Junior high mandatory reads were Animal Farm; A Wrinkle in Time; The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and To Kill A Mockingbird; High school required The Great Gatsby, The Crucible, The Metamorphosis; College led me to The Heart of Darkness and A Rose for Emily.

As I started teaching, I learned more about one of my favorite authors, Theodor Geisel, AKA Dr. Seuss. I became obsessed with his life and all he had accomplished. I was in awe of the way he used stories to teach kids valuable lessons about history and life.

My favorite allegories of his are The Sneetches, The Butter Battle Book, and of course, Yertle the Turtle. How he wove social injustices into stories just fascinated me.

Shel Silverstein then wrote “The Giving Tree” which also caught my heart.

As I have read as an adult, I have so enjoyed the allegory in the Harry Potter books; The Time Traveler’s Wife (LOVE this book!) The Shack; The Giver; The Phantom Tollbooth. Let’s stop there. I guess as a middle school teacher, I still read many adolescent books to keep up with my students.

I have always been captivated by someone using their story telling to teach a moral or lesson.

God does crazy things like this every day through life. The people, stories, lessons, and experiences are often used to teach us lessons. My students, my kids, my husband, my family, my friends have all taught me lessons throughout my life. Being open to these lessons and their truths are how God leads us to live out our lives with love.

I could go on for hours on this topic and give oodles of examples of lessons I have learned through the people in my life. But, let’s end with tonight’s prayer (from the Lenten devotional I am following):

PRAYER Lord God, for centuries you worked to build trust, to build a relationship with your people, but they often chose to trust in themselves instead. Help us remember that your wisdom is greater than ours, your power is greater than ours, and your grace is abundant for us. Amen

My photo today will reflect one of my literacy heroes, Theodor Geisel. If you ever get the chance to visit University of California – San Diego (UCSD), do it! It’s home of the Geisel library. I could go on for hours about his life and all he accomplished, but I’ll spare you for now.

Here are Hubby, Punky and I at the Geisel Library in 2011.

Followed by more proof of my insanity with Seuss is below with pictures from the boys’ room pre-2017. SEUSS!

I know. My obsessions can be a bit much! Good night! Have a blessed Wednesday!