It's Strictly a Parenting Issue

Okay, so I'm seeing a trend among Jonah's friends. First, there's Carter and his humble attitude. :) Bless him. He's such a sweet boy.

There's also Charlie, Jonah's cousin. I was talking to "Aunt B" (Brooke, my sister-in-law and mother to Charlie) about the kids a few weeks ago. She actually has two babies, well- they're almost 4. Charlie & Sarah are fraternal twins and are quite full of personality...in a good way, mind you.

Don't you just love the boots with the dress? She is a fashion connoisseur, let me tell you!

"Bant B", as Jonah calls her, was sharing how her two were at the playground and there was a tunnel slide. Sarah climbed up on top of the slide while Charlie crawled into the opening at the bottom. Then, Charlie proceeds to jump out of the opening with arms raised and shouted, "I AM RISEN!!!" Is that not precious?! Apparently, he was Jesus and Sarah was the angel at the tomb.

To go along with this pattern of Bible interpretation and application, Jonah came home from preschool the other day with a chapel story. Did you know that Abraham was running away from his "emenies", the Ammorites, when God told him to go to Nineveh? Yes, and when Abraham heard that he decided that he didn't want to go and so he ran away from God. But he didn't get far because there was a big sea in his way. So guess what he did? He stuck his big stick in the sand and God parted the water and they all walked across on dry land! Somehow, later on in the day, he added chains, jail, and a prison break to the story; however, Paul and Silas were nowhere to be found. Hmmmmmmm......let's hope he doesn't make a career out of writing commentaries!

I have no idea what version of the Bible Jonah's reading. And what is it with these boys wanting to be Divine? I'll tell you what I think. It's strictly a parenting issue.

Most boys their age emulate superheroes or run around playing good guy vs. bad guy. These three? They pretend to be the Ultimate Superhero. I mean, come on. What superpower is better than being risen from the dead? How do they know these things? Because their parents are teaching them God's Truth. Granted, things can get a little skewed...Abraham? Red Sea? Ammorites? Yeah. But what these young ones understand is that there is a God Who is All-Powerful and in control. He Alone holds the world in place and it is safe to trust Him with everything. They know that there are heroes of the faith (Hebrews 11-12) and they want to be a part of that Hall of Fame!

I read something very powerful in my Bible study notes the other day: "What we believe about God determines what we believe about ourselves, our world, our purposes, and our lives. What we believe determines how we behave." Yes. Even on the playground.

Oh, Lord- that I would be as bold as these toddlers! To live out my faith so unashamedly! What a blessing.

Thank you Ryan, Kelli, Russell, and Brooke for teaching your babies what really matters despite what this world may say. You embrace Matthew 19:14 wholeheartedly- "Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." You bring your children to Him everyday and by your example, encourage me to do the same. It's hard to inspire strength mixed with humility in a little fella, boldness seasoned with grace in a baby girl. But we have to do it because we're called to.

"These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life....Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:1-2, 5-7

So thanks for your support and encouragement guys! (And if you find a Cliffs Notes on the Holy Bible, could you send it my way? I'm thinking we need a refresher course on the whole Old Testament.)