she continues to delight me
I haven’t really had time yet to write about this, but on February 20, Chickpea and I had an amazing conversation in the car. She had been asking lots of deeper questions lately, topics ranging from the resurrection of Jesus, to the nature of sin. In four-year-old terms, of course.
So on her way to preschool, out of the blue, Chick wants to talk about our family friend’s mother, who died awhile ago. This led to heaven, which led to our sin nature, and how God wants us with him in heaven so much that he sent Jesus. We talked for awhile about this, and I told her that when I died, I’d be in heaven with Jesus because I’ve acknowledged his death and resurrection as payment for my sins (in four-year-old speak, of course).
- CHICK: I want to be in heaven, too!
- ME: I want you there, too. Do you know what you have to do?
- CHICK: What?
- ME: You simply have to acknowledge that Jesus’ death and resurrection is enough for you to be right with God, and to make you clean to be in heaven. There’s nothing we can do, so that’s why what Jesus did is a free gift.
- CHICK: I want to do that.
- ME: Are you sure? Because it’s a big deal. I want you to, but you need to decide if it’s something you want to do. If you want to, I can help you pray and talk to God about it.
- CHICK: No, I want to do it all by myself.
She proceeds to close her eyes while I hear whispering. I continue driving. And when arrive at preschool…
- ME: Chick, let’s pray and thank God for what He’s done in our lives. (I pray a little bit.)
- CHICK: And thank you, Jesus, for coming in to my heart.
It made my day. Heck, what am I talking about? It made my year.
But – in true Chick fashion, she continues to humor us with her relationship with God. Later that night, in bed:
- ME: (already praying)…And thank you again, God, for the decision Chick made today to ask you to come into her life.
- CHICK: Mom, He already knows. He heard me the first time.
And then a few days later:
- CHICK: Can we pray to Jesus about the bump on my head?
- ME: Sure. (I pray a short prayer about God healing her bump.) Amen.
- CHICK: What did He say?
- ME: I’m not sure. What do you think He said?
- CHICK: I think He said, “Oh, okay. Thanks for letting me know about that.”
And finally, again during bedtime prayer:
- ME: God, please bless Chick with peace in her heart.
- CHICK: And carrots.
- ME: What?
- CHICK: I want carrots in my heart, too.
- ME: Please bless her with peace… and carrots… in her heart.
ok seriously. that completely touched my heart and made me cry and then immediately had me hysterically laughing and made me cry. i haven’t experience that range of emotion in that short amount of time in soooo long. that was sooo precious. and way to go chick! i love it.
that was beautiful. what christian church do you belong to?
that was one of the most wonderful things i’ve read in a long time.
it made my heart smile soooooooo much! i made Shaun come read, too, and he agreed. blessings to little chick as she begins her own amazing journey of faith.
@Shanie – We’re just non-denominational Christians. Basically, we follow Jesus and that’s it.
What a heartwarming post! It sounds like not only is Chickpea developing an awesome relationship with G-d, but the two of you are coming closer for it =)
Also, the carrots part is pretty funny.
Not sure if I’d commented yet, but I wanted to say that I’m enjoying your blog. Think I found it through googling “Preschool Chore Chart” to Simple Mom.
So sweet, watching our children grow in faith.
An exciting post.
Yay! It’s so fun for us to read about how Chickpea is growing up and so, so cool to read about this event. Jay and I had a good laugh, at least 20-30 seconds, about peace and carrots. Love you.
Hey…she is really growing up sweet. I very much delighted today when she entered my kitchen all pink and blond and smiles, and said, “Hey Aunt Tash!”
how cool is that?!
yay!