So often our little ones are the very best reminders of what’s important in this life. Quite plainly, I had a completely spiritual experience tonight as Henry prayed his beautifully simple prayer before bed. His words always help me to see the world through childlike eyes and with a childlike faith–something I might miss if I didn’t have him to remind me daily that loving God is really best without all of the nonsense. As an adult, I think I can have a tendency to clutter things up too much sometimes. I have no doubt that Henry’s words to God are just as pleasing as a long-winded prayer I can offer (although I trust that God hears both equally and honors our efforts to seek Him regardless). I wish there were more days when my go-to prayer sounded like this:

Thank you for today.

Thank you for Mommy, and thank you for Daddy, and thank you for Henry.

Thank you for my stuffed animals…and my bed!

Thank you for my basket and thank you for my laundry.

Thank you for my Bible and my water…and thank you for my toys that I can play with.

Thank you for Daddy’s clothes, and Mommy’s clothes, and Henry’s clothes, and the baby’s clothes.

And thank you for the baby, and Kruger.

And please keep the baby healthy and safe. And thank you for everything.

Jesus. Amen.

Amen and Amen. I couldn’t agree more. I think about the passage in scripture that talks about the birds of the air and the flowers of the field–and how if God cares enough to look after them, how much more He must care for us as His sons and daughters. He cares enough to help us know in our hearts that our clothes and beds and water and toys all come from Him. And he cares enough to nourish us with His Word, and to bless us with family and provide all that we need…and then some more.

I am beyond thankful to see God cultivating a heart of gratitude in our little boy. We pray daily that God would move in Henry’s heart, and that he would know Christ more and more–and God cares enough to answer our prayers!

Lord, please help me to have a Henry-like faith, and to see things at face value and appreciate them for exactly what they are–your provision. We are so blessed to know you, and to be able to watch our child(ren) grow in you each day. Please be at work in our precious baby’s heart as well, even now, that he or she may grow to love and serve you in each and every day.

thank you for gratitude. and for sweet reminders of what matters. love.

mm