Out of the Mouths of Babes

Well, I frequently learn lessons (often very humbling ones) from my children.  You can often look at your children and watch what they say and watch how they say it and get a pretty accurate reflection of the way you communicate with them and your spouse.  Sometimes I am pleased and sometimes I am mortified.  It is those times that stop you in your tracks that I am so thankful for.  It's a reminder to me of how important my job is as a parent.  It is a reminder that they learn so much more from my example than from what I say to them or by the rules I make them follow.  And it pierces my heart to realize that if I am grieved by their words and actions, how much more my Father in Heaven is grieved by MY words and actions that have lead them astray.  

Then there are the occasions that one of my girls will model to me how I am supposed to be living.  I think this humbles and convicts me the most.  Our Kaitlyn has been sick this week (but is feeling much better now).  The morning she woke up sick, she'd been in our bed and transferred to the couch for the day.  When Samantha woke up, she asked where Kaitlyn was and I explained to her that Kaitlyn had gotten sick during the night and had been in our bed but was now on the couch.  I told her that she wouldn't be going to school that day because she was feeling so poorly.  Now, I had immediately sympathized with my Kaitlyn and my heart broke for her.  I held her and stroked her and did all I knew to care for her--except the one most important thing I could have been doing--and it took my 4 year old to remind me.  Samantha looked at me with an urgency in her eyes, touched my arm and said "Mommy, we need to go pray over her."   It brought tears to my eyes.  Why did it take Samantha to remind me of that?  So we went to her immediately and I took Samantha's hand and we laid hands on Kaitlyn and I told her to go ahead.  Then Samantha prayed the simplest, most appropriate prayer I've ever heard:  "Lord, I love you.  Please heal Julia and make her better.  Please heal Kaitlyn and make her better.  Don't let Satan get in your way.  Amen"  Then she hopped up with clear eyes (though mine were completely full of water) and complete trust and headed out to finish getting ready for her day.

I don't know why I have such a block when it comes to praying.  It's something the Lord has been dealing with me on for a long time.  I get frustrated because it doesn't seem to come naturally.  There are times when I have a wonderful connection and conversation with my Lord but there are many others where I feel so disconnected and seem to struggle with my prayers.  In addition, many times I just plain forget to pray.  I get so busy  and it's when I finally turn my eyes up and say "what do I do?" that I realize I should have been praying all along.  

I received an email tonight that further reminded me of where my eyes and heart need to be.  Our dear friends from home sent a scan of the picture their daughter, Sydney (age 8), drew in church this week.  I think the picture says it all about the heart of this child and reminds me that wisdom is not always tied to age.

Thank you Sydney.  Thank you for your friendship, your love and most of all for your prayers.  We are so blessed to have you as a part of our lives. We Love You!

(If you cannot see this picture well, double click and it will enlarge)

Love to you all,

Zookeeper