{Little | Day 16 of 31}

Ready? Go.

Julia is four-years-old. She provides plenty of opportunity for silliness and laughter. She’s kind and compassionate and a little bit strong-willed. Though sometimes I’m guilty of thinking she’s the smartest kid on the planet, she’s still very much a little girl. She’s a little girl who prays what may seem like simple, little prayers and God hears her. She speaks out profound, important truths that sometimes leave me amazed at her four-year-old-faith. Here are a couple of my favorites. 

Several months ago, she went upstairs, alone, to fetch something from her bedroom. We heard her feet running as fast as they could down the hallway. While she ran, she was singing at the top of her lungs, “Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” She sang it all the way down the hallway, into the bedroom, and back. We asked her why she was singing. “Because, when I’m scared I sing to God. He helps me not be scared.” Sigh. 

Here’s another. I occasionally suffer from migraines, sometimes for several days. After a few days, I get aggravated that my headache won’t go away. I get to the point where I’m willing to try anything to get relief. I made a hot bath with salts and essential oils and was complaining to Brian through tears that I couldn’t take another second of this dreadful headache.  Julia walks over to me. And the conversation went something like this:

Julia: “Mommy, I’m sorry you have a hedge - ache.” Me: “Thank you, sweet Julia."  Julia: “But, Mom, did you know God can take your hedge-ache away, and then you don’t have to be sad? You can pray and ask Him.” (She turned right around and scurries away.) Me: (Blank stare)

It actually hadn’t occurred to me. Silly, isn’t it? 

Then just last night during bedtime prayers, she prayed that I would sleep well. I’ve been having some sleepless nights the past few weeks. “God, you can help Momma have good sleep. So, help her sleep good tonight. Jesus name. Thank you. Amen.” And, I did. 

There’s something about her matter-of-fact tone that exudes faith. That’s what this little girl of mine is teaching me. Her prayers aren't fussy and complicated. They aren’t embellished with big words and religious lace.  And, they aren’t a last resort. I know, she’s four. But, she’s living Philippians 4:6 out right before my eyes. "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for what He's done."  Yes.

I am so thankful for her four-year-old faith. Even the tiniest bit of faith in the hands of a mighty God can move mountains. 

STOP.