Let’s start off by talking about why I wanted to review this book. We have been working with our little guy to practice making and imitating sounds. Sometimes noises are easier (and more fun) to make than actual words. So when I saw the new Baby Believer book, ‘God Speaks’ by Danielle Hitchen…well I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the launch team. I may have actually let out a literal squeal of excitement. So now that we have it in our hands let me tell you all about it.
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What I Love
I love all of the Baby Believer books. They are a cleverly written series, featuring age-appropriate concepts matched with actual scripture. God Speaks is centered around the various ways God Speaks throughout scripture. From the burning bush, to a quiet whisper God shows up.
I love that Danielle summarizes these passages into one word sounds. Like ‘Crackle’ of a burning bush. And ‘blare’ of a trumpet horn. But she also pairs it with a scripture where God is speaking from, making this a beautiful mediation both children and their grownups can share together.
Jessica Blanchard equally does a fantastic job of of engaging littles through her captivating art. Each illustrating the way God spoke in the text.
What My Little Loves
We have loved playing with this book together. Because we bought it to work on speech therapy goals, we sit across from each other so we can see each other’s faces. Then we read each page, doing our best to make the noise described. Our favorite is the ‘Roar!’ Followed closely by the ‘howl!’ However, little man is very partial to the ‘Crackle’ illustration, where God spoke through the burning bush. And I love that he loves this one. When I have been praying for our little guy, my mind has continued to think on this passage with Moses.
“Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”
-Exodus 4:11
God has created our exactly as he should be for His glory. Tim Mackie at The Bible Project helps us see that God’s ‘glory’ is His reputation. The things that speak to the greatness of who He is.
And just as God is not confined to the ways we speak, He also is not confined by the ways we expect Him to move. Maybe God will open little man’s mouth and he’ll start saying full sentences. That would that not be for his glory? Maybe…and maybe not? Maybe glory we’ll be brought by blind hearts being open to the ways our faith communities are inaccessible and non-inclusive to nonverbal children, and we get to work fixing that, because everyone has a place in the Kingdom of God. Would that not also bring God glory? One thing is for sure, I don’t want to be blind to what God’s doing, because I’m so fixated on the way I think he should speak.
May we not become become so fixated on how we want God to speak, that we miss how he is actually speaking.
Just a little nugget, I’ve been pondering as I have read this board book with my little guy.
Have you picked this one up? I’d love to here your thoughts.
Baby Devotions 