It drives me crazy. The irritation I felt when my children said it is revisited when my grandchildren say, “I’m bored.”

I don’t understand how a child, with access to a myriad of activities both inside and out, can be bored. Listing those activities only adds to my annoyance, so my age-old response is, “Clean your room. And once you’re done, clean mine.”

In much the same way, I’m puzzled by people who say they’ve read the Bible once so there’s no need to read it again, or they don’t understand it, or it isn’t relevant today.

I still read the same stories I first learned as an elementary student at St. Peter School, and I continually find new meaning to these beloved verses.

Only as I mature do I appreciate the depth of wisdom available through God’s Word, and I believe the reason for this is found in the book of Hebrews.

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires” (Hebrews 4:12).

When asked by someone where to begin, I typically suggest a Psalm for encouragement, a Proverb for wisdom and the book of John to learn about Jesus.

However, I was reading in Galatians as I was thinking about my aggravation over the “I’m bored” comment when I read, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

See what I mean? I’m still learning.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.