Renewing Our Faith Through A Child’s Eyes
“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants”—Deuteronomy 32:2(NIV).
When my grandchildren spend the night with me, it’s an opportunity for us to spend quality time together. I’m always amazed at the information they inhale as readily as we breathe in the fresh air when we spend time in God’s great outdoors.
I recall a time, almost 10 years ago, when my two oldest grandchildren were attending church activities with me on Wednesday night where they learned more about the Bible. Bible Time Quiz Kids, designed for first through third graders to learn about God’s Word, uses games and contests to help the children memorize scripture and learn Biblical facts. To make it fun, females and males vie to win points. They’re also learning practical application for their daily living.
While reading the Bible and memorizing scripture is important, we need to learn to apply it to our daily lives. As my grandchildren and I were out for a walk one early morning walk, it began to sprinkle. Still about a mile from shelter, we started racing for my house as it began to rain harder. We were about 200 yards from my house when the rain suddenly stopped. My grandson, who had a small wooden cross around his neck, a cross I had brought back from a mission trip to Costa Rica, said, “Nana, it worked.”
“What worked?” I asked.
He replied, “My prayers.”
Puzzled, I asked him what he meant. He said, “I was holding the wooden cross in my hand as we ran, and I asked God to stop the rain.”
Although we were drenched, my heart leaped with joy as I realized this precocious six-year-old understood the power of our Heavenly Father. He had asked and God had responded. I don’t believe in coincidences; however, I do believe God hears and answers prayers in response to our belief. While He doesn’t answer every prayer, I genuinely believe He answered my grandson’s prayers in response to his childlike faith.
Jesus says, in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Being around my grandchildren and experiencing their childlike faith reminds me of my early walk with the Lord. My faith is renewed, and I begin to see God at work everywhere. If you need a faith boost, try spending time with some young children. The lessons you’ll learn are priceless.
