Ephesians, Chapter 2

​“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

A Prayer for My Daughter

Oh Lord, grant my child the gift of faith, that she might know you. Prepare her for the work for which you have called her. Consecrate her, oh God, so that your holy spirit may dwell in her and that she may be a temple, holy and pleasing unto you. ...

It was one of those weeks. 

You know, the ones where we moms run hither and yon, dragging our small ones with us everywhere we go. For two weeks, my poor sweet girl had awakened to a morning shuffle that led not to leisurely play with well-beloved toys or familiar surroundings, but to the introduction of new children and unfamiliar settings. I sat at the kitchen table, cell phone in hand.

​The planned morning event was one I looked forward to, as it allowed me some much-needed socialization with other moms and friends! Daycare was provided, and once again, my sweet girl would be thrown into the melting pot of fresh faces, loud voices, and chaos.

My friend, who was my ride, had texted the night before to let me know her daughter was sick and that she would likely not go. Even though I looked forward to talking with my old friends and making new acquaintances, I couldn’t help the thought that slipped through my mind: Oh good, we all could use a morning at home!

But then, later that evening, she wrote back to say that plans changed! Her husband offered to work from home the following day, and she would be happy to pick me up. HOWEVER, FOR FULL DISCLOSURE, she warned me of her exposure to her daughter’s fever.

My little girl was recovering from a cold, and she looked at me with big eyes, popping a piece of avocado in her mouth.

“Where are we going today?” she asked.

“I’m not sure,” I hesitated.

“Please Mommy, I don’t want to go," she pleaded. "I want to stay home!”

I reached out a hand to pat her little arm, “I know, sweet pea, a morning at home would be nice.”

​Again, she voiced her opinion, “Please Mommy, please? May I stay home?”

I looked down at the little girl beside me, my heart agonizing between my daughter’s need for a day at home and my own need for socializing with other moms.

“I hear you, sweetheart, thank you for sharing your opinion.” Then I exerted my firm, no-nonsense tone,
“But Mommy will make this decision, not you.”
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I excused her to play with paints as I sat in my chair, paralyzed with indecision. My need for socialization with other moms burned hot, yet just as palpable was my daughter’s need for a slower day at home! I, of course, did not want to expose her to any potential illnesses. “Oh God,” I audibly moaned, “help me make the right decision. I really want to go.”

The sweet girl painting with water colors in the next room heard my tortured cry.

“Dear God,” she intoned, formulating a prayer of her own and sounding like a priest invoking communion, “Help me stay home. Dear God,” she continued, raising her voice like a true Pentecost, “Let me and Mommy stay home today!”

I sat in stunned silence, listening to my daughter’s formal petition to our Heavenly Lord. But my little one wasn’t finished yet.

“Dear God,” she prayed again, with Baptist gusto, “give us this day our daily bread. Amen!”

​My shoulders shook with laughter as the levity of my situation sunk in. How could I stand against such a prayer? Didn’t I want to reinforce how God hears and answers the prayers of His children, especially the prayers of the Little Ones?! What chance did my selfishness stand with God against the sweet and sincere prayer of my daughter?

Without hesitation, I picked up my cell phone and began texting my friend, letting her know I would bow out today due to my concern of contamination. Even as I sat texting, my earthly side worried if my friend would understand or think me paranoid. I wavered in my resolve to stay home, wondering if I was making the right decision. My face knit in worried lines and I bit my lips.

Little girl ran by to wash the paint off her hands in the sink. As she skipped back to the dining room where her paints lay scattered on the dining table, she paused a moment and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, where I sat with the send button staring at me like a one-eyed monster.

​“Don’t worry, Mommy!” she smiled at me, “Do not worry, Mommy,” she repeated, “for God is with you all the time!” She smiled sweetly at me and then raced back to her paints.

Did I just hear that? I wondered as I watched my little girl run out of the kitchen. What more is there to say? With new resolve, I pressed the "Send" button and set down my cell phone.

“Thank you, Sweet Pea,” I called, “Mommy needed that encouragement.”

My little girl clambered atop the dining room chair, energetically waving with her paint brush. “That's why I said it!” she beamed.

“Thank you,” I repeated, “It did encourage me. And, we are staying home today!”
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Little girl threw both her hands up in the air in the classic victory pose. “Yay!!!” she rejoiced, “PRAISE THE LORD!!”

​Today was a reminder that in the hustle and bustle of activities we schedule to keep our families involved, that we as parents do not neglect or relegate our roles.

Our time is precious with our children, our opportunity to shape and influence their thoughts and behaviors is immeasurable, and our responsibility to form the framework and foundation from which they function, operate, and stand is priceless. Here, in these few moments of time, I witnessed the power we as moms hold to pour life-giving and eternal truths into our children’s lives. Somewhere along the way, my sweet girl was listening, soaking in and applying the spiritual truths that she learned from her Sunday School, my husband, and myself.

I confess, it is easier at times to enroll or throw our sweet ones into activities, daycare, or preschool, so that we, moms, can work, run errands, organize households, exercise, socialize, and even partake in ministry. This is not bad or wrong in itself. If you are like me, it is desperately needed for the sake of sanity! However, let us just be cognizant of how much time we are giving of our children -  is every day filled to overflowing or is there a day to reconnect and just be with them?

Remember, our little ones will only be this age once in their lifetime! Before we know it, they will be attending school five days a week, with precious few hours remaining at the days' end for us to shape their hearts, souls, and minds. The world will have its say, its pressures, and its influence soon enough.

​Treasure the time you still have with your little ones while they are still small, while they still believe you are the be-all-end-all, while they still listen with rapt wonder, while they still respect your authority, and while their hearts are still tender to spiritual truths. Fill their spongy brains with Truth, Light, and Life. Take advantage of the time we hold with our children; take back and lay claim!

A Prayer for Myself

Dear Lord, help me to take advantage, take back, and lay claim to the heart, soul, and mind of my child for You. Help me to treasure the moments we share together and open my eyes to Christ's teaching opportunities. Grant me the strength and wisdom to persevere in the telling and teaching of God’s Word to my child.