For the record, this is one of “those” posts. It contains something special that I would put in Lily’s baby book if she had one. She has this blog instead.
Having a child definitely makes you want to be a better person be a more devoted follower of Christ. That’s one thing.
It’s another thing when your child holds you accountable to your relationship with Christ.
Recently, Lily will randomly ask us to read the Bible to her or ask to read the Bible to us. There’s no rhyme or reason to the time she picks to read the Bible. Today she asked to read the Bible after I spanked her. I can think of no other response more glorifying to God than to for a young child get in trouble then desire to spend time with Him.
It’s definitely challenging and a test of my devotion to Christ to see if I am willing to stop what I am doing to sit with her and read His word. I pray to be flexible in every moment to be ready to say yes to her request. I never want to discourage her from diving in to Him.
She really got me today, though. As I was laying her down in bed for a nap, I told her I was going to the den to read the Bible and talk to Jesus. If I fail to get up early to spend time with Him, I try to do it during nap time. I would be lying if I told you that I was committed to that everyday.
Almost two hours later as I heard her very quietly and sweetly saying, “I want Mommy. I want Mommy,” I went into her room. As soon as she caught my eye, she immediately perked up and said, without hesitation,
“What did you read about in your Bible, Mommy?”
She caught me off guard. My mind was blank. I had to think for a minute about what I had read. Once it came to me, I proceeded to tell her I read about Noah in 1 Peter 3 and how the Flood relates to Baptism.
It was quite hilarious to hear that question come from a 2 1/2 year old. But WAY more than that, it was extremely humbling for my 2 1/2 year old to ask me about my time with Jesus.
Lily, I think you are teaching me more than I am teaching you. May my life and my motherhood be evidence of the great gratitude in my heart for you.
A Merry Heart 
Wow! No wonder God wants us to have “faith like a child”! That is a discipline I struggle with (daily quiet time) – talk about convicting!
I think it is AWESOME that she will grow up seeing what quiet time looks like lived out in front of her – and even the days you fail or forget (that's it's okay, no one is perfect!) What a wonderful example for her to see in her Mommy!
Lily is such a blessing. So are you…..