This year, as I begin reading the Old Testament, I’m doing it with someone very special in mind—my granddaughter. I’m inviting her to walk this road with me, even if it’s quietly and from a distance. Maybe if I put it in writing, I’ll actually accomplish my goal to read the Old Testament from cover to cover.
Last night, as she sat looking out our window at the mountains, tears slipped down her cheeks. When I asked what she was feeling, she said simply, “They’re so beautiful.” A few minutes later, we were talking about the purpose of life—where we came from, why we’re here, and where we’re going. It was a tender conversation that ended too quickly, but it stayed with me.
This morning I listened to Genesis chapters 1–3, and it felt like a continuation of that discussion. I love these chapters because they are familiar to me from my time spent in the temple.
One detail stood out to me today. Adam appears to have spent quite some time alone in the Garden of Eden before Eve was created. I come to that conclusion because he named the animals first. It doesn’t change anything for me, but it made me pause and think.
Because I like to explore the “related content” in the Gospel Library app, my pace will be slower this year—and that’s okay. The Church has provided such rich resources (beautiful video content) for those moments when reading alone feels overwhelming.
I’ve decided my blog this year will reflect what I’m learning in the Old Testament and what I hope my granddaughter will come to know. Whether she follows along or not matters less to me than this: that she knows who she is and how deeply she is loved.
What I hope she notices today
That this world was created on purpose.
That beauty—like mountains—come from a loving Creator.
That she belongs here.
And that everything I’m sharing comes from my love for her.
Day one feels like a very good beginning. It's always good to start at the start.
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