Three of our four grandchildren were soundly asleep within minutes. Timothy fell asleep during prayers. We had read our Bible story and stood together under the projection of our new verse from Isaiah as it rotated on the ceiling above our heads. Before I darken the projector, I escort each child to his or her bed, pull up blankets, kiss foreheads and whisper, “Good night, God bless you, I love you, and sweet dreams.” As I switch off the light, I take a seat in the floor by Ezra’s bed and begin recapping our day before prompting each grandchild in turn to thank Jesus for three things: people they love, things they enjoyed doing and something they are thankful to have. We usually finish with an ask, or something they want help with or need Jesus to forgive. I find this really helps me to understand each one better. Often the ones I guessed I would need to coach surprise me with their insightful answers.
Recently Ezra bit Timothy, mostly because Timothy was occupying the spot Ezra wanted and he wasn’t moving. After wrapping his little arms around Timothy’s shoulders and being unable to pull him aside, Ezra resorted to biting. It happened in a split second. I was already on my way across the room to preempt the conflict when Timothy turned to me, sobbing, “Ez-za bit me!” Before you form any opinions about these two cousins who are barely four months apart in age, Timothy has just as often been the biter, but by the time we came around to prayers on this particular evening, twenty month old Ezra really shocked me. When I prompted the kids to ask Jesus for help, Ezra didn’t wait for me to call his name. He immediately confessed, “Me not bite Tim-fee.”
“My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment (wisdom and understanding or discretion).
Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble.
You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.
You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.”
Proverbs 3:21-26 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.3.26.NLT
I imagine we would all sleep a good deal more soundly if we worked as hard as these children play when they’re together. They are secure, their needs met, with little concern for tomorrow. Their parents see to that each and every day. I am blessed to partner with them in training their children in the way they should go. (Proverbs 22:6)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.3.5-6.NLT
Most people would agree that many of the teachings of scripture are admirable. They might even choose to pattern their lives after the teachings of Jesus or Paul or Solomon. The opening verses of the Proverbs explains, “Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.
Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.
Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive guidance”
Proverbs 1:1-5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.1.1-5.NLT
Who wouldn’t want purpose, success, fairness, guidance and understanding? Many seek these very things by diverse means but looking back one generation from son to father, we read,
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.
Praise him forever!”
Psalms 111:10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.111.10.NLT
“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.
so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children.
So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.”
Psalms 78:4, 6-7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.78.4-7.NLT
When I asked Timothy who he was most thankful for today, his silence told me he had already drifted off to sleep so I continued on, ending with my prayer for each of the grandchildren before singing our Jesus songs. I grew up singing from the Baptist Hymnal before there were big screens to feed lyrics. We never sang just the first and last stanzas. We sang every line and during the invitation that followed the sermon, we invariably exhausted the lyrics so we sang around again. What I have realized is that a treasury of hymns now lives in my head and recalling one leads to another and another. My favorites include the name of Jesus.
While I understand that my prayers for my precious grandchildren and the time spent sharing Bible stories and life lessons in no way guarantees their salvation, I cling to the promises of scripture and the faithfulness of God who loved them first and loves them most. With words inspired by Jesus, from His High Priestly Prayer found in John chapter seventeen, I pray, “O righteous Father, they don’t know You but I do. I have revealed You to them and I will continue to do so.” At the end of each day, I can say, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.”
Psalm 4:8 AMPC
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