Her little hands cupped in mine, we begin our bedtime routine with prayer.
She hesitates, her 4-year-old mind swirling with the day’s events, trying to choose just the right thing to tell God she is thankful for. She begins, gratitude pouring out of her heart for her favorite crayons, the bunny hat she likes to sleep in, time spent with her Noni and Poppy, and finally, for her little brother.
Taking a cue from Andy Stanley, I ask a couple of quick questions at bedtime and we talk about whatever is on her mind for a few minutes. On this particular night, I bring up the fact that we can pray to God anywhere, at anytime.
Her response, in true 4-year-old style…
{giggling} Mom, does that mean I can pray to God while I’m tooting?
{she proceeds to “toot”}
{and giggle some more}
In between my own giggles, I tell her yes and we laugh together some more before settling down for the night.
It’s a tiny moment of connection mixed with silliness, a small deposit of truth into my little one’s mind in hopes that the seed might take root and grow as she learns the truth about God and our relationship with Him as his child.
The key is for us as Christian parents to be intentional even in — especially in — the little moments.
It’s not necessarily the one-time big events our children will remember, but the small deposits of truth in the day-to-day that will mold and shape their little hearts.
For the comments:
How are you intentional in planting seeds of God’s truth in the littlest moments with your children?
Take a minute to share and let’s learn from one another!
TWINS? Oh wow!!! Be sure to let us know when they arrive!
Will do…it should be in the next 5-6 weeks! 🙂
Thankful for the many special moments like this I had with my kids. Treasure the moments! They don’t last forever.