few words, big meaning

I thought I would share my son’s prayer the morning before we walked out the door heading to his first day at Kindergarten. It has been a few weeks since he said this prayer, but it still lingers in my mind and on my heart. I asked him if he would like to say a prayer for his first day at school and he said yes. I waited for his cue to see if he wanted me to say it, but instead, he chose to lead. It went like this:

Dear God,

Help me to make good choices at school. I want to be good. Help me Lord.

Amen

The prayer was straight to the point, had few words, but so meaningful. He knew what he wanted. He simply asked for it. He stated his desire to be good. He acknowledged his need for the Lord to help him.

I think a lot of us adults could learn a lesson or two in this…don’t you?

Out of the Mouth of Babes

(photograph by Sarah Carter – http://www.sarahcarterphoto.com)

My daughter and I were setting up a room in a local church where I was scheduled to train foster parents on grief and loss. The room is mostly used for youth so the decorations were different from the usual church auditorium. Coming out of the stage and across the ceiling was a gigantic sculpted tree that was grey in color. I could see where a child might find it a little frightening; although, I know that was not the intent of the designer.

My daughter said to me, “I’m scared. That tree is scary.” I comforted her and told her that there was no need to be afraid as mommy was with her. Again she said, “Mommy, that tree is scary.” This time I told her that mommy and God were in the room with her so she did not need to be afraid. When I told her that God was in the room she said, “No, He isn’t.” I gently said, “Oh yes He is. God is with you wherever you go so there is no reason to be afraid.”

By now, I could tell she was quite agitated with me for saying that God was in the room. She put her hands out in an exaggerated manner and shook them while she said, “No He is not.” I asked her “Where is God then?” She looked up at me with her gorgeous blue eyes and sweet expression and said “God is in my heart.”

At that moment, the hustle and bustle of trying to get the room set up while tending to a clinging, somewhat argumentative 3 and 1/2-year-old melted away and I was reminded of how pure child-like faith is.

Do I walk around as if God lives in my heart? Do I remember on a daily basis the implication of accepting Christ in my life? Do I treat others in a way that truly reflects the love of Christ? I love that God uses children to declare His truth and to gently humble us in ways that are so unexpected.

Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. Psalm 8:2 (NIV)