Gò0dNews for Everyone
A Good Story
R
by Wally Coffman
ecently, I was pleasantly surprised to discover my
experience. The movie shared things about our country’s
kids enjoying a movie that I loved when I was their
past that helped my kids have an understanding of how
age. The movie involved exploration of new lands,
this country got where it is today. Our kids often express a
warfare, and hunting: all the things that an elementary-
desire to know about the common history they share with
age boy at that time would love. I was surprised because I
their parents because they are always asking us questions
originally thought that the special effects of today’s movies
about how life was for us in the past as well as why we
would make older movies seem unrealistic and boring
acted the way we did.
to younger viewers. I wrongly assumed that they would
The final aspect of a good story is the outcome. There
lose interest. I am glad they didn’t because the movie
is nothing worse than a story that doesn’t end, or at least
was a historical drama that portrayed real-life heroism,
doesn’t end well. The outcome doesn’t have to be good in
justice, and triumph over evil. They liked the movie well
order to end well, but it must be believable in order to leave
enough that their overly interested dad was able to give
a lasting effect on the listener.
unrequested background information regarding certain
Just as character development, history, and outcome are
events and characters within the movie without being too
an important part of a good story for kids, these aspects are
annoying, I hope.
also an important part of their faith. The Bible even tells us
The movie kept their interest because it possesses
this in Hebrews 13:7: “Remember your leaders who have
things that all good stories have, one of which is character
spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the
development. It is always interesting to see a character grow
outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.” As parents, we are
or change in response to the good or bad things that happen
some of our kids’ leaders who live out a story with character
in their lives only to then ask ourselves what we would do
development, history, and outcome right before their very
if we were in a similar situation. It is always fun to hear my
eyes. They see our responses to the circumstances God places
kids say what they would do if what happened in the movie
in our lives as well as how we let those circumstances shape
happened to them.
and mold us. They want to know their parents’ history
Another interesting facet of a good story is a common history, especially to those who don’t have much life
because it gives them an identity and helps them learn from their parents’ mistakes and successes. Ultimately, our children will imitate us whether or not we want them to, so it is very important that we have a faith to imitate and that we share God’s Word with them. The good news is that God wants that for us and our children. We need only ask Him and He will make faith part of our story
24 // September 2020
About The Author
as well as the story of our kids.
Wally Coffman lives in McDonald, TN with his wife, Angela, and their two children, Ella and Eli. He and his family attend Silverdale Baptist Church. He is a professional engineer licensed in multiple states.
