Last night as I was putting my 2 oldest boys to bed, I noticed they were both "reading". (I say "reading" because my middle son is only 5, not quite able to READ anything just yet.) I continued the good night routine and as I leaned down to tell my 5 year old good night, I realized he was reading his little New Testament Bible. Pleasantly surprised at that, I encourage him and tell him it's wonderful that he is "reading" his Bible. He then tells me he is on Chapter 5. I tell him again how good he is doing. So a few seconds pass and he looks at me and says, "I'm going to read my Bible all day tomorrow. I'm going to read my Bible instead of watching TV." I raise my eyebrows and say "OK", in my mind I'm thinking, "Hmmmm, he probably will never remember he said that come tomorrow afternoon when it's time to watch cartoons." Chuckling to myself I say the last good night and leave their room. So morning comes (all too soon) and I get up and begin my morning routine. I peek into the boys' bedroom and notice my 5 year old is not in bed. Which isn't completely unusual as he is my early riser, but since he started kindergarten this year he has been sleeping until I get him up. So I figure he is in the living room watching cartoons with the volume turned down and I continue my morning ritual. As I head down the hallway to begin breakfast I reach the living room and I stop. There in the middle of the floor in his little wooden chair is my 5 year old intently "reading" his Bible. I was so proud and so ashamed all in the same moment. So proud of my son who can't even read yet, up early enjoying the quiet and meditating upon God's Word in his own way and ashamed of myself because I have not been faithful in my spiritual walk. I don't read the Word like I should, don't take the time to pray as I should and definitely am not the example I should be to my children. So today I thank my son for a precious, priceless lesson. Thank you for opening my eyes and helping me see that I need to do better. Not only for my sake, but for your's as well. May you always have a heart for the Lord and may His Word be opened more to you each and every day. I'm so proud of you. I love you.
