Tiny Paragraphs : Parenting, Jesus

Oversimplified Prayers

Shannon — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:35:00 GMT

When I was expecting our first child, Ken and I spent a weekend caring for our friends' three-year-old twins and two-year-old. I thought, "This will be a good opportunity for Ken to practice his soon-to-be-employed 'Daddy' skills."

Saturday morning, I made breakfast, and we all sat at the table, ready to eat. Ken said, "Let's pray." He folded his fingers at his chest and leaned forward earnestly, with his eyes crinkled shut. "Deeeeaaaaar JESus," he began, quite loudly in a babyish voice, with great expression. "Thaaaaank you foooor this deLIcious foood that YOU have proVIDed." When I opened my eyes to peak, I almost burst out laughing. All three kids were staring at him with puzzled expressions and their mouths hanging open. They looked as if they wondered, "Does this guy think that Jesus is hard of hearing, or that He's just learning English or something?"

Of course, Ken doesn't always pray this way. He was trying to adapt his prayer for the sake of our young friends. Apparently, he simplified it a little too much.

Though I now have twelve years experience in parenting, I still struggle with trying to make this faith of mine child friendly. I certainly don't want to adapt God and give my kids an unbiblical view of Him, but I wrestle with wanting to simplify God. I want to protect my kids from troubling questions like, 'Why did God make sin?' or 'Why does God create people that he knows will reject Him and will be punished in hell?' But then, these very questions have drawn ME closer to God and caused me to bow to His glory, which is exactly what I want for my children.

I think a key in making my faith 'child friendly' is to not adapt my prayers in their presence. I want my kids to overhear the way I speak to my Father--to hear the respect in my voice and the adoration in my words. If I pray as if Jesus can't hear me or that he's not able to comprehend my struggles, I know I have simplified too much.

Jesus vs. The Cheesiest

Shannon — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:16:00 GMT

Me: "Why did Jesus die?"

Cade: "To save us from our sins."

Me: "Have you sinned?"

Cade: "Yea, like when I scratched Cole last night."

Me: "What is God's punishment for sin?"

Cade: "He says we have to die. Like, in hell."

Me: "How can you be saved from your sin?"

Cade: "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. Hey, Mommy. You know what would be really great? Like, you know what would be really, really cool??

Me: "What?"

Cade: "If we could have, like a million billion boxes of macaroni and cheese in our cupboard! Wouldn't that be awesome??"

I have friends who would argue that Cade is saved. And this conversation does give evidence of faith and belief, but there's an ingredient missing: repentance. Cade has all the information, but he has not repented of loving other things more than Christ.

Cade would say he loves Jesus, but if he had to choose between Jesus and mac-n-cheese, it would be a toss up. As his parents, we will keep pointing out Christ's value and beauty to Cade, but it will ultimately be the Holy Spirit who allows him to see.

Cathletic

Shannon — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:04:00 GMT

Cole told me that his new friend from third grade is 'cathletic'. I said, "Oh. Can you remind me what 'cathletic' means?" He said, "You know, they do that thing where they draw a cross on themselves." Ahhhh. Yes, now I understood.

Cole said, "I told him that I'm only part cathletic." I asked, "How's that?" He said, "Well, you know... like Aunt Fay and Uncle Clem are cathletic... 'cause they do that cross thing, too. So since I'm related to them, I'm part cathletic, right?"

I explained to my dear boy that athletic and 'cathletic' are in two separate categories. Regardless of the denomination, faith is not a gene that you inherit from the people you look like. It's a family that you join, but you might be the only one with your last name. These family members, though genetically diverse, all share a common trait: Their eyes. They can see something that the people chasing after money and sex and power and luxuries can't see. They see Jesus. They see that he is far, far more beautiful and desirable than any of these pursuits.

My kids are part Irish because I'm Irish. But faith is an all-or-nothing deal. I can point out Jesus' loveliness to my children, but ultimately He must open their little eyes.