9.14.2007

Still Thinking About Kids

When I got up this morning, I still had kids on my mind and remembered a story I read somewhere about a kindergarten teacher whose class was drawing pictures. She would walk around the classoroom and look at each child's artwork. She got to one little girl who was working diligently and asked her what she was drawing. The little girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher was kind of taken back and said "But no one really knows what God looks like." Without a pause or even looking up from her drawing, the little girl replied, "They will in a minute!"

I love it. I love the faith of a child. And honestly, who better to know what God looks like? I know when I hold a newborn, it's clear to me that they can't talk for a reason. They'd tell me all about where they just came from and how hard it was to leave the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus.

When Maya was tiny and colicky, I would hold her, walk with her, sing to her and talk with her all night long (so Chris and Natie could get some sleep), and for some reason, every night, I would tell her that I knew how hard it was for her to leave her home in heaven and that I knew her brother Jesus was missing her. Whenever I would mention heaven and Jesus, she would quiet down for a little while. It was amazing and (obviously) very touching.

Kids. I just love 'em!
**The above pic is actually me with Mason, soon after he arrived-- for some odd reason, I can't come up with a pic of a newborn Maya with me although I know I have some. I guess the point is the same!

9 comments:

Emily John said...

Logan was really colicky as a baby and the only thing that would calm him down for a teeny bit was when I would sing/hum I am a child of God. Thanks for the great post.

Rebecca said...

Ok I'm already weepy from Morgan's birthday and then you post THIS!??? Where's the fairness here. Why bother with eye makeup at all? :)

Thanks for this post. It's so incredibly true.

Natalie Scott said...

Oh, look at precious little Mason!

I love that story...kids are amazing. I feel so lucky to have mine, even when they're driving me nuts! I just don't want them to grow up.

tiburon said...

I love that story! What a great reminder about kids :)

Mel said...

What a cute picture. I love the story about the kindergarten student that draws a picture of God. That's just so cute. What a cute grandma you are!!

Kristi said...

What a sweet baby! I love the story of the girl drawing the picture, too! Natalie is SO blessed to have a Mom like you to help her when she has babies!!

Christina said...

My thought was- for someone to have a colicky baby- they sure are lucky to have a mom like you to help lighten the load. I hope your fam knows what a serious blessing they have in you!

Holly O. said...

I wish my kids' grandma lived closer!!!

Hayley said...

ah jan~ i've been reading your posts, catching up - they're all so thoughtful and sweet! i love kids, too... and i love how babies always calm down when you talk to them about where they were before. i think its so close for them, that they really feel that peace still ~ amazing!