Children have been my life. I started babysitting in the summers at the age of nine then graduated to babysitting on weekends and nights. My first job was at a daycare center and I worked in daycare centers all through college and afterward. Eventually I became a nanny for one family and then two. My daughter loves to hear the stories from those days, such as the little boy who could not correctly pronounce Pinocchio so he called him Pickanose. I have no idea how many times I told her that story but it was a lot. Children like to hear things over and over. In my house we read the same two or three books every night for so long that I had most of them memorized! Movies were watched over and over and songs played continually until Mom and Dad were hearing them in their sleep. She had a Ronald McDonald tape that she got in a Happy Meal that I found myself singing the songs from while in the shower. But I wouldn't trade those days for anything.
There is great comfort in the familiar. The first songs that we teach our children, such as "Jesus Loves Me" are simple but also easily remembered truths that teach them about the faithfulness of the Lord and the love that He has for everyone. They like to sing them over and over and that is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom for them. As they grow we begin to teach them scriptures such as John 3:16. Because they hear them often, the words are written on their hearts and in their minds where they will dwell forever.
I sometimes miss the days of childhood. Things were much simpler when I could just allow the adults to worry about the problems of life and I could enjoy reading and re-reading books and singing the songs I learned in Sunday School. Memorizing scripture was a challenge that was fun for me and although I had no idea the words would stay with me all my life, in actuality God was inscribing them into my very soul, preparing me for the day when I would need to refer to them in my adult years.
I am so thankful now for the adults that the Lord placed in my life to teach me the basic truths about His love and steadfastness. Each time they sang, prayed or recited scripture with me they were helping to engrave God's Word deeper into my mind and heart and teach me about who He is. Because I have that foundation I have hope to turn to on the toughest days. I am also thankful that He used me in so many little lives to do that same thing. I hope they are thankful too.
As we go through this week, let's see how many of those songs and verses we can remember. I am pretty sure we will each be surprised by all that comes to mind. Then, each time we hum the tunes or think of the words, let's say prayers of thanksgiving for those people who invested into our lives. Because they loved the Lord enough to share with us, we have knowledge and wisdom that is eternal. God bless you!
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