It's the Small Things

       I have gone to church all my life. I went to church for the first time when I was only about a week old. As long as I can remember, the nursery and children's ministry has always been a big deal to my mom. She has such a gift for ministering to children, even if it is just showering them with love, even when they are acting out. I have learned from a young age that children are not a hindrance, and shouldn't be treated as such.

       In a lot of church nurseries they have the verse Matthew 19:14 displayed. I have always believed that verse but my knowledge of it was greatly increased tonight. 

       I'm babysitting my "neighbors," Callie and Emma, tonight. I took them to the fair and Emma was like a zombie so she went straight to sleep when I laid her down... Callie, not so much. I put her in her bed, read her a story and tucked her in. Approximately 5 minutes after laying her down I heard little footsteps. Callie comes walking down the stairs. Here is how the conversation went.

       Me: What are you doing out of bed Callie?

       Callie: I don't know, I'm just scared.

       Me: Scared of what?

       Callie: Just scared.

       

       After this went on for a while I sent her back to bed with a kiss, hug and encouraging word. I took the dog out and turned around to see that Callie had brought herself outside and was standing there. "I just miss my mom," is what she said. I decided I needed a different tactic. I told her to go pray in her bed and that everything would be okay. I listened for a bit and then heard faint crying. I went upstairs to check on Callie... that is when the most heartwarming and real conversation I have ever had in my entire life happened. 

       I asked Callie if she wanted me to pray with her, she cuddled in and quickly agreed that we should pray together. I got finished and told her that when she got scared she should just think of how much God loves her and everything that He has made for her. I started to name different things that God has made, Callie interjected by saying, "He made the moon too!" I agreed and continued to list things off with her help. The cutest thing that came out of her mouth was next. As she was laying there she got a stargazed look on her face, looked me in the eyes and said, "He even made every single one of us!" 

       This realization sparked a conversation about Jesus being the best friend that anyone could have and that no matter how long we talk to Him, He will always listen and want to hear what we have to say (the fact that God cared about every single thing she has to say made Callie giggle). We continued our conversation and then I said God is our Father, Callie got a look on her face and said, "I have a crown that I made, I hope it looks like God's crown." We continued and talked about God being her father and that it made her a princess, she informed me that she knew because her sister had already told her that. As we sat there she told me a few of her favorite Bible stories. As we wrapped up the conversation I looked her in the eyes, said, "I love you Callie, just remember when you get sad to pray because Jesus loves you and wants to hear you." I then gave her a kiss and left the room. 

       As I plopped down on the couch I heard footsteps again, "oh man, that didn't even work?" is what went through my mind. Callie popped her head around the corner and said, "I just want you to know, that made me feel all better, I'm not scared anymore. Goodnight." As she went back up the stairs I couldn't help but think, "I wish I had that kind of faith."

       I believe there is no one more equipped than a child to wholeheartedly trust and believe in Christ. The faith that she demonstrated to me tonight is such a reminder of how much God loves ME and how He blesses all of us through the small children He has placed here, the children with faith that can move mountains. She taught me way more tonight than I taught her through my "grown-up" knowledge of God.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

~Matthew 19:14 (NIV)