So simple, a Child Can Do It

Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered. Psalm 105:5

When our granddaughter was about two years old she was spending the night with us while her parents were away. She got up early in the morning – before I was ready to face the day. In an effort to prolong the time I could sleep I pulled her into bed with us. Didn’t matter — she was awake. So, she talked to herself. My husband and I got such a kick out of listening to her. It was as if she was reminding herself of everything she was learning at the time.

Her conversation with herself went something like this, “1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10, red, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, my favorite is purple. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP, QRSTUV, WXY and Z, now I know my ABCs – next time won’t you sing with me.” We found it downright amusing, even if it did keep us awake. Mind you, this is something we let grandchildren do when we would have shushed our own children for doing it!

Apparently this reciting of what she is learning has become a habit for Stella. The other day I was sitting with her at the breakfast table. As I was reading the newspaper she was reminding herself of what she has learned about God. I am not sure I have her exact words but the gist of her conversation with herself was something like this, “Jesus is God and God is Jesus. He loves me, He really loves me. I love Him, He is always there.” It didn’t last long but the impression on me has lasted. She already has a habit of doing something that I try to do and try to teach others to do all the time.

Stella, at the ripe old age of 4, is developing a habit that will serve her well as she grows up. In a sermon I heard John Piper give he called it “preaching to the heart”. As far as I know she was not doing this because she was in any kind of trouble. But, what great truths to have imbedded in her heart when she does have some problem where she will need to remember these truths about God – and Jesus!

Interestingly, this is a habit that we see in the Bible. When we read the Psalms it seems to me that David does this over and over again. In Psalm 63:6 – 10 David was on the run in the wilderness of Judah. He is in distress but look at what he says: “When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.”

Because of David’s experiences with God in the past he was confident, not only of what God would do for him, but how God would deal with his enemies. David was preaching to his own heart as well as for those of us who would have his words to remind us of God’s faithfulness forever!

Psalm 86 gives the same kind of testimony from David. He was on the run from his own son, Absalom. Absalom wanted the throne which meant he had to take his father’s life. David cried out to God for his life to be preserved and for grace from His Almighty God. As he continued his prayer he looked at what God had done for him before – knowing that His past acts would be consistent with what He would do in this situation. In verses 7-13 David expresses his confidence in God. “In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.”

David’s words are in the scriptures for us to learn from and be encouraged by. God gives us little children to remind us that sometimes growing our faith can be so simple, we just need to remember what we have been taught and repeat it to our own hearts so we don’t forget it!

Hopefully I will follow Stella’s lead and preach to my own heart as the circumstances of life weigh me down. Her words encouraged me. I can make the effort to remind myself of what I know to be true of God and Jesus – even a kid can do it!

This is Stella and her Mom.