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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

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Sophie from BooMama

"To Know This Love That Surpasses Knowledge"



A few months ago my little boy Alex and I were in the grocery store, and completely out of the blue he asked me if he will go to heaven one day. Because I was a little distracted by the fact that at some point pot roasts have started to cost about the same as a cute pair of shoes from Target, I sort of off-handedly replied, "Well, yes, buddy, if you have asked Jesus into your heart, then yes, you will go to heaven."

And then Alex got very quiet, and after about a full minute of Deep Soul Searching, he screamed "JEEEEEEEEEEEE-SUS! COME INTO MY HEART!" right there next to the pot roasts, only he said it not like he recognized his fallen heart's need for a Savior but more like he was aggravated with Jesus for not sharing His toys.

So while I wasn't completely sure that the little man was clear on some of the more fundamental doctrinal issues, I was entirely certain that Jesus had good reason to take issue with his tone.

But then, about five minutes later, when I was seized by TOE CRAMPS, of all things, I told the little man that I had to stop for a second before THE PAIN MADE MY KNEES BUCKLE, and he responded by saying, "Mama, I would like to tell a prayer for you."

I said that would be wonderful, so we bowed our heads right there in front of the dairy case and he put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Dear God. Please help Mama's toes to feel better in Publix so that she can wear her shoe. In Jesus' Name. Amen." And he was so deeply sincere about the whole thing that I wondered for a split second if his profession of faith over in the meat department wasn't the real deal after all.

Before Alex was born, I imagined that this child whose face I had not yet seen would sit with me at a desk while I carefully read passages of Scripture aloud. Everything would be Perfectly Orderly; I would Teach With Care while my child Listened Attentively. Then we would clasp our hands together and begin the walk toward faith with lockstep precision, only stopping long enough for him to surrender to whatever calling God might have on his life.

Because I wasn't idealistic or anything.

But the reality, as anybody with a little one knows, is absolutely nothing like that. The daily process of teaching and leading a precious little heart is about as methodical as herding a room full of cats. And you know what else? It is hard. On every single level. So much of parenting uncovers our own imperfections, and we are constantly being humbled, broken and refined in our own lives while we try to nurture the little lives that have been entrusted to us.

But the rewards of parenting? They're immeasurable. They're eternal. And the longer I'm a mama, the more I find that the most teachable moments in terms of faith don't require much organization or planning on my part. They don't necessarily happen while we're sitting in a church service or when we're Reviewing Memory Verses With Great Intention, though certainly I believe that God uses those things.

For me the most breathtaking moments - the times when my husband and I are both able to share our faith with the most sincerity and transparency - are when Alex picks up a maple leaf from the ground and then says, with wonder, "GOD MADE THIS!" Or when he runs into the house after being outside and says, "Mama! I missed you! And I talked to Jesus while I played!" Or when he's sick with a stomach virus and says, through his tears, "Mama? Will you always take care of me? Will God always take care of me?"

Or even when he puts his hand on my shoulder in the middle of a crowded grocery store and prays for my toe cramps while we stand next to six different brands of sour cream.

In many ways motherhood is absolutely nothing like I imagined but so much more than I expected. And for me, right now, the greatest joy is sharing the Greatest Joy with a four year-old who may get a little cloudy on the theological details - but whose heart is wide open.

I cannot imagine any greater privilege.

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:16-19

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15 Comments:

Blogger Mocha with Linda said...

Amen, sister.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. II Timothy 3:14-15

April 30, 2008 at 7:40 AM  
Blogger lori said...

It's all in the details!
what a wonderful post!
Thanks for sharing that...I need to pay more attention next time I am at Publix...there is apparently a lot more than I realize going on!!

thanks for sharing!
I'm with you..."I cannnot imagine any greater privilege."
amen...
lori

April 30, 2008 at 9:39 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Great post - thanks for sharing that. Sometimes we are so keen to teach our kids the big story of God and Jesus, we forget we can see His works all around us, and we can talk to Him wherever we are.

April 30, 2008 at 10:46 AM  
Blogger Denise said...

Such a precious post, bless you.

April 30, 2008 at 11:23 AM  
Blogger twinklemom said...

That was really wonderful and cute and had me lauging; I couldn't help but think too..can you imagine the impact and conviction that must have made on anyone who heard him! Talk about humbling and that was sweet he prayed for momma's toes! Awww..:D

April 30, 2008 at 11:36 AM  
Blogger windycindy said...

What a precious story and wonderful little boy. I have two sons and they don't always talk about their faith, but deep inside, I know it is there!
Thanks for a lovely story. Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

April 30, 2008 at 2:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love being a mom and I know exactly how blessed I am!!

Great post!!

God bless,
Sallie

April 30, 2008 at 2:15 PM  
Blogger Carol said...

This is too sweet. The prayer in the dairy aisle got me a little teary eyed. I'm thinking that when my little sass-mouthed daughter Faith asks Christ in her little heart it may start as more or a demand like the meat department call out. Thanks for the laugh and the reminder of how special motherhood is. :)

April 30, 2008 at 4:02 PM  
Blogger LissaBee Creations said...

This has to be one of the most beautiful posts I have ever read. Thank you for sharing.

April 30, 2008 at 4:44 PM  
Blogger Vicki said...

Beautiful post. So appreciated, too.

May 1, 2008 at 12:06 PM  
Blogger Mary Lou said...

What a great post, made me laugh and brought tears to my eyes. Oh, the faith of a little child.Oh, to be so free as to stop and bow your head and lay hands on in the dairy dept of the grocery store. What a blessing. thanks Sophie for great insight and a laugh. God loves laughter.

May 1, 2008 at 2:33 PM  
Blogger Aunt Angie said...

Loved it loved it loved it! Sophie--BooMama---you spelled it all out perfectly. It doesn't happen like we "plan" it...but when the Lord touches our hearts and lives through the heart/life of our children...it is an awesome thing.
Glad that you were here! Hurry on back now!

May 1, 2008 at 3:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was so excited to see that you were a guest contributor here! (I guess that's what the title is)...whatever your official title is here, I love reading the excerpts of your true title of Mommyhood. You always make me laugh and touch my heart with your truths. I hope I see you here again!
~Truly Blessed

May 2, 2008 at 7:22 AM  
Blogger Julie said...

It is so true...the little moments....they sweep us away with the breath of God. That's one of my favorite reasons that God made me a mom. My kids show me God.

I am in a different phase of life than you are. My oldest is overseas on a 5 month's missions trip. I have not seen her face since Jan. 17th.

But her heart is beautifully displayed in every email and phone conversation. She gave her first talk to a group of people from Poland. She told them of how deeply they are loved by God.

All I ever wanted for her was to know how deeply she is loved by God.

I loved reading your son's heart.

Thanks for sharing.
Julie

May 3, 2008 at 1:14 PM  
Blogger Missy said...

Sophie, this is one of the best things you have ever written.

Amen and amen.

May 4, 2008 at 6:42 PM  

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It is good to hear from you... thank you so very much for leaving a note on the table. That makes us smile!

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