I have delighted in the last week at the work the Lord is doing in Michael's life(age 5). We have witnessed his growing desire for the things of God.
At night one of us will sit with Michael and read from the "One Year bible for Children." I used this book last year in Homeschool and pulled it off the shelf for bedtime. I think it is perfect for his age. Lastnight I said that it was late and we would not be reading. He was frustated and said that he needed to know what was in God's Word. Who am I to quelch the Spirit? Matt sat with him and read. The other morning he came down the staircase dressed for breakfast and announced, "Mom, after I got dressed I bowed to the Lord. I am going to do that every morning." At night he listens to music and wants us to put on a song and word CD that tells biblestories and sings scripture. This selection is his preference and requests it. The other day Matt was building an architectual masterpiece out of LEGOS with the kids and Michael blurts out that he doesn't want his dad to die. Michael became quite emotional. Clearly, he has hit the stage of realization of death. Matt was discerning and took the opportunity to open up conversation. Aren't the most precious moments those that occur when we are just playing with them? Last night one of his sister's had an emotional train wreck and was asked to sit quietly on the steps. Michael looked at us and said that he was going to pray for his sister. He proceeded to get on his knees and lift his beloved sibling up to the Lord. What a precious site, The Lord must delight in such transparent trust in Him.
I was reflecting during my quiet time and God strung together for me these recent milestones. What I treasure to see the work of God. I was just struck with a parenting revelation from the Lord. To most this will seem elementary. As we have parented, my husband and myself have done so with our faith in Jesus at the forefront. I believe we have been intential to demonstrate basic biblical truths as we have prayed with our children, and offered them wonderful church environments to grow, read the word to them, and discipline with the goal of reconciliation to God. We have been imperfect for sure but love our children and our Lord and desire to see our children come to a saving knowlege of Him. I confess that I have allowed a secular view of spiritual growth come into my thinking. A view I wasn't fully aware until now. I think that I separated their relationship with God and Christianity from the other parts of their development. I narrowed a child's development to social, emotional, cognitive, and physical. I relegated spiritual to the status of extra-curriculur. Meaning, its a good thing and neccessary but not a basic need. I think I was so afraid of being legalistic. The Truth is that children need to worship. They need to develop spirtually. It is as important as providing food, clothing, shelter, and love. It is who they are. They have need to worship and will be deficient if they don't. The work of salvation is God's work. The work of the parent is to give the child the opportunity to develop their capacity for the things of God and allow them the opportunity to experience Him through their child sized faith, which is HUGE by the way. By God's grace I think we were on the right track as parent's but now see my perspective was limiting their potential. So pray for this flawed parent.
