Chuck the "great" story-teller.

Last night while starting off our family devotions I realized that our 6 yr old didn't seem too interested. So I stopped Allie from continueing to read and started scolding both the kids. As I was scolding them, I got to thinking.
First, They are not used to this whole "Bible stuff" because their dad is an atheist and their step mom is a backslidden christian. They've been to church with us a couple of times a few years ago, but this is not a part of their routine.
Second, They're kids! I seriously doubt that I was interested in what the book of Proverbs had to tell me when I was 9 or 6. Even tho Allie and I get alot out of reading and re-reading the book, these kids can hardley understand the language in the ESV translation.
 So, the scolding stopped and I calmed down about it. We stopped the reading all together! Instead I resorted to something that I hope was an effective back up plan for them. I decided to do my best at telling the stories of the old testament instead. Now, it's been years since I've read or heard some of these stories and I'm sure I messed up some of the details, but I did my best from what I could remember. Last night I told the story of Daniel in the lions den, mixed in with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo in the fiery furnace. I thew in a little of King Nebachanezzer turning into the beast as well. Like I said, I'm sure I messed up some of the details. My memory isn't what it used to be and I was working on the fly without time to look up the actual scriptures.
I was amazed to see the transformation. They couldn't pull their eyes off of me the whole time. I had their undivided attention. I used alot of vocal inflections and facial expressions. I had them laughing one moment then scared the next. It was awesome. I knew they were listening because our 6 year old kept asking about Daniel ( I had stopped his story in the middle and went on to the furnace on purpose). She was worried he was going to get eaten by the lions. Then when I paused for dramatic effect during the furnace story, and saying there were 4 people in the fire, she yelled out "It was God protecting them!" All in all I think I got the point across.
So tonight we decided (with the help of my mom) to have a small bonfire in the back yard. After Mom left, the kids both asked if I would retell the story of "King Nebabkinizer". I told them no that I wouldn't tell them that one but I had a new one for them tonight. So, again on the fly, I started the story of Abram and Sarai. I went thru the mountain top sacrifice with Isaac (6 year old was almost in tears) and on thru to Joseph and the coat of many colors. Again, not remembering all the details, but doing my best to wing it and make sure a lesson was taught. Again I had their FULL attention. It was awesome! When I finished up the whole mess of stories, I asked them what we could learn from them and they both nailed it! God protects us even tho he tests us.
On the way back to the house, Allie took me by the hand and told me I was a great story teller. She said that she was just as enthralled as the kids were. Who would have thought that just "winging it" could be so great. I know I messed things up and some of the more strict christians would probably cringe at the mistakes I made, but it was still good enough to get the morals thru to the kids. I guess its the sort of thing that "Veggie Tales" was based off. A loose interpertation of the greatest best seller ever. The Bible.