The Things Kids Do

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

“Mommy, come sit and play ‘ding dong’ with me.   You be Rose and I’ll be Mack.”  These words echoed from my little man who will be four in March.  (Side note:  Ding Dong is a game we play with the Power Rangers or Lightning McQueen – kind of a “Barbie’s” for four year old boys.   They come to each other’s house ringing the doorbell-thus ‘ding dong’).   But this was Super Bowl Sunday.  I really wanted to enjoy the pregame build up.  I really wanted to sit and be quiet and not play.  I even tried to get him to go outside to play with his sister.  However, his little heart was set on playing “ding dong.”

“Alright.”  I reluctantly answered.  I sat on the floor where he had all the Operation Overdrive Rangers, one SPD Ranger and one Dino Thunder Ranger sitting in a cute little row.  He showed me the pink ranger that was mine (Rose).  And he took his Red Ranger (Mack) and started “teaching the class.”  He began to retell the story he had learned in church that morning (I know the story because it was my turn on rotation to be his class teacher).  His Red Ranger began teaching the class the bible verse he learned that morning: 

Our God, we thank you for being so near to us! Everyone celebrates your wonderful deeds. Psalms 75:1

He continued on, telling about God, about King David and about how we should love Jesus.  Had I not taken the time to sit down and play his version of “ding dong,” I would have missed out on such a sweet moment of his childhood that I will never forget.

My older daughter is working through Awana – she is a 1^st grade Sparks and working on the second handbook.  One of the requirements for a green jewel was to tell me a Bible story.  So as we were practicing her Bible verses, I asked her to tell me a story she had learned in Sunday School.  She began to tell me the story of Queen Esther!  I was presently surprised that she knew the story and retold it so correctly.  In fact, the next day for Home School, we watched “One Night With a King.”  She understood it and really enjoyed it.  It really brought to life the story.

Then the humbling thought hit me.  These two (of my three) children were actually being taught so much at church – in Sunday School, Awana , children’s church and children’s choir.  How rewarding for the children’s ministry at church to know they are truly affecting little one’s lives!  Yet, for all the good they learn in the 4 hours a week the church gets them to teach – how much more I have the opportunity to teach them.  Deuteronomy 4:9 says,

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

God has given us the awesome responsibility of raising our children in the ways of the Lord.  We have these years of their childhood to teach them about God, to train them in his ways, to set the standard and show real biblical parenting.  As mothers, we need to engage them. Talk to them openly and honestly.  And when we fall short or mess up be ready to apologize and show them sincere repentance.  Let them see us ready to go to God and repent and be a testimony of God’s amazing love and forgiveness.

Their little minds are like sponges absorbing everything we do and say.  If only we would take the time to invest in their lives.  There is no one more important (other than God) in a child’s life than the parents.  We have the greatest opportunity to affect their lives and God expects us to do so.  Motherhood is hard, exhausting and sometimes we feel unrewarded.  But rest assured, these special times are building up the child in the ways of God and in time we will see those rewards in ways we could only dream. 

Dear gracious father, how I long to be the mother that you have called me to be. I long to teach my children in your awesome ways. Thank you for the work I have seen you begin to do in them. Thank you that Your word promises that if You begin a work in them, You are faithful to carry it to completion. I ask Father, that your light would shine brightly in their lives, that you would give them the wisdom through Your working in them to understand the Bible. Draw them to You. Let them see the glorious inheritance You have prepared for them. Grant me wisdom to be the mom to my children You want me to be. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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