And this is Jesus...

The other day my daughter had a bunch of animals on the couch and she says to me "Mommy, listen to me for a minute k?" So I look her way and I ask her what she has to tell me. She starts telling me the names of her animals.

"This is Pinky" (A Pink Stuffed teddy bear)

"This, is Brownie" (Her brown Teddy)

"This is ducky" ( A Duck )

"This is Boots" ( Boots the monkey from Dora)

"This is Dora" ( A Stuffed Dora )

So as you can see everything made sense right... there was something physical matching the names right? She then Picks up a little lamb that has its hands folded in prayer. She Picks him up and says

"And this *pause* is Jesus mommy"

I stopped and looked at her amazed. I asked her "baby... why did you name the lamb Jesus?" "What you mean mommy?" "How did you come up with the name of Jesus for the lamb, why did you not name the duck Jesus?" "Silly mommy, Jesus is the Lamb, the Lamb prays"

Now shes probably making the connection because when we pray we say "in Jesus name amen" ... but you never know. It was one of those moments that I will never forget. The moment my 3 year old daughter says "Jesus is the Lamb"

Luke 18:16-17 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Also in Matt 19:14 and Mark 10:14)

Receive the Kingdom of God like a little child... accepting the simple truth for what it is. "Silly mommy, Jesus is the Lamb" Accepting what is written as truth.

I have been struggling with something, and it is a battle I've engaged in again and again. So afraid of failure... and I had one of those night where it felt like it just consumed me when God took me to these verses:

James 1:5-7 If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer. TLB

God has used the simple words of my 3 year old and these verses to convicted, and to encourage me. When you are going through something, the word tells us to not worry, but with prayer and supplication make your requests known to God. And then it says in James, that when you ask God for wisdom in a situation to expect Him to give you an answer... don't GUESS what you THINK would be His answer. That would be putting words into God's mouth! And then God reminded me that a child would ask and wait for an answer... and not presume to know the answer. "Silly mommy, Jesus is the Lamb, the Lamb prays"

So my prayers have changed. When I pray, I wait. I don't pray and then figure out what to do in the meantime.... that's when I've missed the answer completely.

Thank you Jesus for opening my eyes to this. Father, forgive me for being too busy to listen, and to concerned to really seek you out as you have encouraged me to do time and time again. Thank you fro your grace and your mercy, and your patience with me. Let this word touch hearts of those who read it Father, teach all to first listen and then speak. You are worthy of all Glory Honor and Praise. ~Amen~