Pint-sized Spirituality
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"Maaaaaaaaaaama, Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaama … Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeshush, Jeeeeeeeeeeshush!" My youngest child, just two years old, called out to me.
I paused in my work to look and, sure enough, she was on the couch flipping through our children's Bible and pointing at the various drawings of bearded men on its pages.
"Yes, honey," I said with surprise. "That's Jesus!" How does she know that's Jesus? I wondered.
Then things got delightfully weirder. She folded her arms across her chest, gave herself a big hug, and began her own rambling and babbling rendition of "Jeshush wuvs me."
What in the world?!
Though she and I sing "Jesus Loves Me" at bedtime and she's watched as I've read short Bible stories to her two older siblings on school mornings, I'd never pointed at its pictures and told her they were Jesus nor had I ever paired the song with the images.
Someone else helped her make that connection. It was one of those special moments when I realized, again, God has a relationship with my daughter. God himself is at work in her life.
Our job description
Many Christian parents have similar moments with their kids—times when they observe a spiritual habit, a growth in virtue or character, a sense of conviction that leads to an apology, a moment of wonder, a growing sense of confidence or self-worth—and when we simply realize this has nothing to do with us. This isn't something we can take credit for; this is about God at work, growing or changing or connecting with our children.
While it's an awesome realization that God is at work in our children's lives, that doesn't let us off the hook. Deuteronomy 6 fleshes out God's vision for parenting in powerful terms:
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:5-9).
This describes a relationship in which a parent's profound, whole-person love for God is evident, bold, and naturally obvious to her children. Driven by this love, she's committed to a life of obedience—and she speaks freely to her kids any time, anywhere, about God. Her life and her home are characterized by this desire to love and obey God—and this love, obedience, and mindful awareness of God shape the habitat her children grow and live in.
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Kelli B. Trujillo is a writer, editor, and midwest mom of three. Join Kelli to dialogue about environmental stewardship at kellitrujillo.com/tag/creation-care.
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zmom
This article was a gift sent straight to fill my need! Especially the final 3 paragraphs....which has soothed my worried soul a bit. My oldest is "drifting/rebelling against faith" and I needed the reminder that I laid a foundation but children make own choices...but God is always there hearing my prayers and waiting for the opportunity to touch my child again--His own child....only on loan to me which makes his love & power so much stronger. Thanks to all others who commented....always reassuring/comforting to hear personal responses. God Bless us all on our journeys!
Jodi Schumm
It seems easier to try to do more than God calls us to rather than to do our part and trust God with the rest. Your insight gives some much needed encouragement - thanks, Kelli!
Gaynor S
Read this at the right time today when feeling so burdened by the fact that most of my children do not acknowledge God at work in their lives...I've been reminded that I am to roll the burden onto Jesus...He is the only One who can reach their innermost being...Praise God because He is at work!!! Our children are loaned to us for a period...
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