Fam-ily Day

Today was a holiday, which means that the bank was closed, school was closed, and it just so happened that today was one of my husband's scheduled days off.  We call days like this "Family Days."  Since the kids are not really old enough to grasp the concept of prominent birthdays, they are under the assumption that you are given free time off from school and work to spend with your family.  Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Yesterday, as we sat down to dinner, my husband asked the kids which one of them wanted to "say grace."  Our 5 year-old daughter, very vigilantly, said "I do, Daddy?"  So, we all bowed our heads, expecting the normal "God is great, God is good."  We were all astonished when she prayed with her childlike innocence.  I can't quote her exactly because my heart and tears were overflowing.  The prayer went something like this.  "God, thank you for helping me to get better.  And God, I just wanna pray for everyone else that's sick and that you'll make them feel better, too.  I just wanna be a good girl so that I can go to Heaven.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

I thought to myself, "Come with a child-like faith."

I, myself, need to be more like a child.  When the Sunday School teacher asks for a volunteer to bless the offering, why do I always sit there and wait for someone else to do it?  Instead, I should be jumping up with the enthusiasm of a child and say, "I'll do it!"

It's not that I'm ashamed.  Perhaps, a little intimidated.  I hear people pray and use words longer than I have ever been away from home.  Their prayers just flow out so eloquently and beautifully.  The only way that I know to pray, is to talk to Him like He's my best friend, because He is.  He knows me and my heart and even understands my child-like prayers.  So, what difference does it make how I pray in front of people, as long as it's coming from my heart?  It doesn't matter how many big words or scriptures that I pour out when I'm praying.  As long as I know who I'm praying to, and everything is okay between Him and I, God will hear my prayer.  Whether it be that of a Bible scholar or that of a 5 year old child.

I thank God for my children.  As much as I try to bring them up in the eyes of God, and teach them the right ways.  I believe sometimes there are still things that they are going to teach me.  I love and appreciate God for everything that He's done in my life and for everything that He's going to do.

~*~Kristen~*~