Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Jesus said, “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
I will begin by following the example of Rick Warren who began his book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” with this statement: “It’s not about you.” Only I begin with a little twist on his words and say what I’m about to share is not about ME. What I share with you is all about the often overlooked and discounted workings of a mighty God. This is not about ME but about God at work in the lives of my grandbabies.
I’ve been part of the caregiving team for our grandsons from birth. Two years ago, I was led of God to step it up a notch and I created what we refer to as “Grandma’s Bible School.” I love to teach and I found with two little boys in my care, we fare far better through what can be a long day if we have structure. So, when I’m with the boys, we do school. I take a story from the Bible and I build a lesson from it to include counting, letters, shapes and motor skills but also include truths and principles from God’s Word. We’ve built an ark from cardboard (big enough for two “Noah’s” and one grandma to fit inside!) and loaded up every plastic and stuffed animal we could find; constructed an Old Testament tabernacle from a child’s ball pit (minus the balls); thrown stones (and various other objects) at a giant Goliath (again, from cardboard); built and baked a tomb out of salt dough; re-enacted the story of the good Samaritan and wasted far too much gauze and Band-Aids; and, of course, baked bread and learned about the Last Supper. For whatever reason, this one has stuck. Now whenever bread is baked for any occasion, my 4-year-old grandson, Nathan, is determined to do “communication” (aka “communion”)!!! Don’t you just love the mind and language of a young child!!!
Recently, a few of us got together for dinner which included fresh baked bread and, once again, Nathan assumed it meant we would do “communication.” I wasn’t prepared for “communication” but being the good, indulging grandma that I am, I was determined if my 4-year old wanted to do “communication” then by all means we were going to do “communication”!! So, I broke up the fresh baked bread into tiny pieces and watered-down grape soda to take out the fizz, trusting God understood I was doing the best I could in a pinch. Nathan didn’t seem to mind and confidently and carefully passed out the elements. He then took the bread and explained it was a symbol of His (Jesus) body and the “juice” was a symbol of His blood. With his mom asking a few questions, Nathan then explained that Jesus died on the cross because He loved us. When asked if he wanted to pray, Nathan leaned over and put his head down into a pillow that was beside him and proceeded to pray and thank God for Jesus dying for our sins.
Don’t you just know God the Father and His Son Jesus looked down on that 4-year old leading the adults in “communication” and smiled…maybe even chuckled a bit! Oh, the pure innocence and simplicity of the gospel through the eyes of a child! Oh, that I would be so bold and uncomplicated in my efforts to live and to “communicate” the good news of Jesus as my 4-year old grandson!!! Such little feet but such big shoes for this grandma to even attempt to fill!!!
Never underestimate the workings of an almighty God in the hearts and minds of even the youngest child! And never, ever underestimate the power of your time, energy, words and efforts as you pour into the children around you whether they be your own or your grandchildren or the children of others! For in due time, you will reap a harvest!!!
Oh, Lord! That we all would come to know the joy of doing “communication” with watered-down grape soda and a 4-year old!!! Amen and amen!