Bigger Picture Moments: Bedtime Prayers

"Daddy!!!" the kids yell and dance around the moment daddy emerges from the dark of night, sweat drenched and adrenaline pumped after another evening bike ride.

He heads for the porch to complete his training with cool down stretches, but barely makes it half way through the living room before two kids barrel him nearly off his feet.

And instead of sighing at yet another interruption to his routine, he pauses to lean down with a grin that matches their enthusiasm and scoop them up into his arms.

No sooner has he finished asking if they "wanna help daddy stretch?" and they are all sprawled out on the carpeting of the front porch, legs and arms posed in after workout stretches.

"Look, mommy! I stretching like daddy!" they shout for all the world to hear.



"Ok, kids. Time for God-book!" he says after stretching time is over and they are all dressed for bed.

They race to see who can find the God-book first and hurry back to find their place on the couch, curled up safe and cozy in daddy's arms, eyes and ears and hearts hungry for His words.

As he reads, their eyes grow wide with wonder as they listen carefully to the story unfolding on the page and in their hearts.

And then, as their little minds continue to process these words, daddy looks into their eyes and tells them of the one God who loves them more than even daddy or mommy and who is just as eager to hear their words.

"What do you want to pray about?" he asks them one by one and we listen with ears and hearts to their list of thanks for everything from the door on our house to their healthy and growing new brother.

And mixed within the thanks are tender words of concern for the sick and the hurting, a reality their sweet little hearts already understand too well.



As I listen to their prayers, I am awed at their compassion and devotion.  Because it's not just bedtime that their hearts pour out in prayer.

No, they already understand at three and four what I am still learning - that prayer is not a one time, sitting at Santa's lap pouring out a list of wants kind of time. 

Prayer is a constant communion, day in and day out, from sun up to sun down with the One who created us and calls us by name.  He already knows my heart, but he longs to hear my voice, just as much as my soul hungers for His voice.

Once again I'm reminded, through a simple bedtime routine, that this journey of faith and grace is a constant journey and a daily growing closer to Him.  And I am grateful for the three and four year old who draw my heart nearer to Him as I watch their own journeys unfold. 

Linking up with Corinne for this week's Bigger Picture Moments.

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