This might sound a little silly but I have been learning some pretty profound things from my two-year-old daughter. Of course, I’m always learning very un-profound things from her. Like when I watch her throw one of her way-too-emotional, I’m-so-selfish tantrums I have to realize that when it’s all said and done, the very same thing happens in my heart when I get robbed of something I want (like the right to drink my own water – Brent can tell you all about that). So sometimes, while I’m learning these un-profound things from her, I feel really bad disciplining her for her attitude because it can sure make me feel like a hypocrite. But then I remember that God gave her to me for a reason and just because I’m still in need of sanctification myself, doesn’t mean I am relieved of the responsibility to train my daughter in the Way.
All that to say, I wanted to share some of the reflections I’ve had as I’ve observed my daughter in the past few months. Every night we read the Bible to our children and Kimi’s new favorite thing to do during the day is read the Bible to her baby. Now it’s really interesting as I watch her because it is clear that her hero in this Book is Jesus. She knows how he is depicted in this children’s Bible and she searches for him on every page while she reads to her baby. I hear her say, “where’s my Jesus?” and “oh, there’s my Jesus! There he is!” and lean over to kiss him every time she sees him. These phrases also give away my second observation, that she thinks of Jesus as her Jesus.
I watch her and can’t help but ask myself if, on a day-to-day basis, Jesus is my number-one hero? It reminds me of something we learned at the Missionary Training Center: when you share God’s Word with someone, teach it in a way that emphasizes Christ as the hero. When He comes on the scene, people should be waiting on the edge of their seat, waiting to see what the Promised One, the Messiah, the Deliverer is going to do to solve this world’s problem of sin and death. The story of Jesus should captivate people as the most important story ever told because it pertains to every human being’s eternal future!
So while I wonder sometimes how much Kimi is getting out of our nightly routine, I find comfort in watching her search the Scriptures for “her Jesus,” knowing that at least she understands that not only is it all about him, but he can “belong” to her! And while I wonder about my ability to raise a daughter to abandon the flesh that still entangles me, I find comfort realizing that it’s not about pointing her to do as I do, but pointing her to do as Christ does!
May I frantically search the Scripture for “my Jesus” and let him be my hero, just as my daughter does.
Debby says
Mommy & Daddy: You and Kimi are both teaching your readers as you gracefully share your love of Christ. Such a beautiful story – thank you for writing it out for all of us! Blessings
Bob Carlson says
Erica and Brent,
Love the way you both raise your children. I have the story of Bo when he was just learning to sleep by himself in a scrap book. This one will be there too. Kudos to Kimi for teaching her doll about Jesus!
God bless you guys,
Bob
anna says
This just melts my heart! So true! Love this, Erica 🙂