Death’s impact on our lives is so weird.
It’s been nine months since my mother-in-law passed away. Sometimes it feels like years ago and other days it feels like moments. Most days we remember her in joy, but there have been a few ‘sneak attack’ tearful days too.
As we planned our trip for Thanksgiving, our son asked if he could visit Gramma’s grave while we were in Pennsylvania. Specifically, he wanted to put a Christmas ornament at her grave. I was slightly surprised to hear the request, as he seemed to be handling the death and memories fairly well.
If I’m completely honest, I’m also a little surprised that I was surprised.
Seriously, why was I surprised? It seems natural he’d want to go see the gravesite. He was very close to her, as she helped raise him in the single-Dad-toddler years and they spoke on the phone almost every day since. Normally, I’m the sensitive one of the family that would have made the offer to take him to the cemetery. And yet, the 10-year-old beat me to the request.
More often than not, I think we are surprised by the depth of knowledge that our children have regarding the Savior. They may not have the depth of knowledge with theology or specific scripture, but their little hearts are perfectly attuned to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
There is something so sweet and endearing about a small child praying out loud. I remember the little boy prayers for nerf guns to work, for kitties to be found, or for Gramma to be healed.
There is something equally sweet about children sharing the Gospel. When Erin’s daughter, Peyton, was 6 or 7 years old, I often watched her talk to strangers about Jesus.
Corrections and convictions are also sweet and endearing when they come from children. I’ve had my own son tell me I’ve hurt God’s heart when I said a swear word.
Lesson here? Kids are unabashed about their prayer lives. They are confident and bold in sharing Jesus. And they have no qualms about corrective behavior.
The book of Matthew has so many nuggets regarding children and their place in the kingdom. In Matthew 18:1-5 (NASB) we read, “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me.”
Jesus expressly told us that children would be great teachers. There is something to learn from our kids. We can learn about prayer, evangelism, and correction. And we can certainly learn lessons about dealing with grief.
~Emily
Iron Porch 