Galatians, Chapter 2

“For through the law I die to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:19-20, NIV)

A Prayer for My Daughter

May the truth of the gospel always remain with my daughter. Give her a passion for You and a message of Truth to tell. Be at work in her ministry. Give her strength to stand in Your Truth even when pressured and help her never stray. ...

May she put her faith in You. Help her die to the law and be crucified with Christ so that You may live in her and that she may live for You.

This afternoon I grabbed an opportunity to talk about God with my sweet little one as we crunched apples.

“What are ways we can talk to God and show Him that we love Him?” I dared ask my preschooler.

She shoved an apple slice in her mouth and just looked at me with questioning eyes as she munched.

“One way we can do that is by talking with Him through prayer,” I continued. “And another way is by singing praise songs and hymns.”

She chewed in thoughtful silence. I could hear the gear shifts creaking in her young mind as she struggled to understand and grasp my theological question. Biting into the apple’s crisp, sweet flesh, I encouraged, “Another way to express your love to God is what you do every Sunday when you sing at church.”

She smiled brightly, enthusiastically raising her hands high in the air. “I jump!” she exclaimed, waving her apple slice.

“That’s right,” I smiled. “You dance for Jesus and jump. Are there any other ways you can show love to Jesus?”

Her brow furrowed, thinking, as her small fingers reached for another apple slice. Then, her entire face lit up with excitement. “I could make Him a picture!”  she squealed, clapping her hands together.

“Yes!!” I cried, leaning over to hug my little one with a heart overflowing in love and gratitude. “You could absolutely do that!”

She giggled and rolled playfully on her back, round, solid legs waving in the air like a ballerina. Suddenly, she turned wide, excited eyes to me, her face illuminated in a large smile. “I could give God a hug!” she exclaimed once more, this time her voice climbing high with excitement.

My heart stood still and my mouth speechless. My daughter’s comprehension and joyfully accurate answer was sincere and heart felt. Given with the endearing innocence of a child, her simple yet genuine response stunned and humbled me. She grinned in delighted abandon, unaware of her answer’s impact and oblivious to her mother’s welling emotions.

​“Sweetheart!” I breathed with tears glistening in my eyes, “I know Jesus would love a hug from you. That is an excellent way for you to show Him love.” Then, I bent over and gave a big hug to my sweet little girl.

How often we complicate our relationship with the Lord, when it is just our love and devotion that He desires. Cramming our days with work, activities, projects, and even bible studies, we forget to stop, take time, and reach out to Him with our hearts and our spiritual arms of love to embrace the very God of Creation.

Similarly, we often do the same in our relationships with our children. Running our little ones to school, practices, and activities, cleaning the house, washing stacks of laundry, sometimes all our little ones need, want, or desire is a heartfelt, genuine, big hug to show them that we love them.

A Prayer for Myself

Oh Lord, help me as a mom to take time with my child, to see her, to hear her, to engage with her, and to be present with her. Help me to put aside the busyness of the world and tangibly show love to my daughter today through the giving of my time, attention, and love.