I’ve never known how much I needed grace until I had my daughter. More specifically, a toddler daughter who is full of wonder and curiosity. She looks at me from her car seat, big brown eyes serious as she fires off a storm of questions:
What’s that, mommy?
What’s a fire hydrant?
Who is that boy?
Where are we going?
Why are you in that seat?
What is that thing?
That last one? She was watching an Easter music video on my phone (on our favorite Yancy Not Nancy “Little Praise Party” app) and I knew which scene it was - a lovely, inspiring image of the stone rolling away from the tomb because “Jesus is alive!” We’d watched it several times the night before during bath time (enough that I woke up with the song in my head before I even had coffee) and she’d asked me the same question. She understood the cartoon image of Jesus. She sang along to the words she knew. She knew it was about Easter. But how do you explain an empty tomb to a two year old?
If you’re me? You don’t.
Or you try. And realize that you can barely grasp the significance & enormity of that moment as an adult whose faith still feels so brand new and to try to put it into words that a toddler will understand? It felt impossible and I added it to the list of “things I don’t do well as a mom.” It’s a long list.
I went to God with it because my heart hurt that I wasn’t able to answer her question - especially in the middle of a season that is all about filling up on candy but the truth is the most significant part of the story is the emptiness. I’m not a Bible scholar. I’ve never been to seminary, I don’t read my Bible every day, and I have a pile of half-finished Bible studies collecting dust on a book shelf full of good intentions. But I love Jesus with my whole heart and can’t make it through the day without Him.
His grace fills my weaknesses.
And He was gracious to reassure my hurting mama heart that it was okay that I didn’t have the words this time. But I know the questions will continue, and I know my little girl will want to know more about Jesus, so I’d love to know if you have resources that you love that help answer ALL those questions, I’d love for you to share them with me! As she continues to grow and learn, I’ll be growing and learning right alongside her - and leaning into grace.
11 Comments
This is good for all of us to remember, Crystal, not just MODs! As always, wise words from your pen.
And, as always, sweet encouragement from yours, Mary
Crystal, I am in the same position like you right now. I have 2 daughters, 5 and 1. Both are curious little ones. The big girl has A LOT of questions (pretty sure the little one will get there soon!). I always broken hearted when I cannot explain to her when she asked me about God o story of God. It is harded for me because I am not a Bible scholar either, nor attending seminars. Yes I read my Bible but mostly in my second language. My understanding is limited too.
Yes we all depend on God and his grace alone to raise our daughters. Can’t do it without him. It is a HUGE challenge for us.
My husband found 4 little series called Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers by Joey Allen. They are The Gospel, The Scripture, The Trinity and The Mission. We havr been reading them with our big girl since she was about 3 years old and now she has more understanding about God and His plan for the world.
We always pray every day that God will guide her heart and speaks to her personaly as we read His word that she may come to know Jesus and trust in Him as her savior. The same prayer we pray for our little baby too.
God bless you, Crystal! So thankful to read your heart today at MOD Squad blog!
Oh Helen, what a great resource! I’ll be sure to check those out - and thank you for letting me know I’m not alone
This is one of my big mama failures. I struggled daily with my lack of knowledge of scriptures and the bible. My favorite things we have used for our daughter who is now 12 is the Jesus story book bible. We have read this through cover to cover countless times. She still reads today. Everything a Child Should Know About God by Keneth N. Taylor this book is wonderful as it walks through questions about God in the simplest of terms. The questions are asked in a order that teaches you about Gid , Sin, Jesus in such a way that it leads you to the question of salvation. This is how my daughter came to know Jesus as her savior. Another series of books are Amazing Questions Kids Ask about the bible, about God, and about heaven and angels. These books are awesome, and have scriptures with each of the answers. I hope you may these helpful for you. And as much as I want to say it gets easier they grow, but my daughter stumps us all the time. In fact she asked a question in Sunday school a few week ago that her teacher didn’t know the answer to nd spurred him to study and find the answer. He mailed her a letter with the answers. He tells all the time how her thirst for knowledge is inspiring to him and her classmates. I am thinking you have a daughter such as mine. This is an amazing thing.
You’re going to have me spending some time on Amazon today with those recommendations
I love that our girls aren’t afraid to ask questions - I know I have them, too, but usually feel like I’m supposed to know the answer already so I don’t ask. It’s such a blessing to watch them be fearless in their curiosity!
The Jesus Storybook Bible is excellent. Definitely give that one a try. The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm is also wonderful-it explains that the Bible is one big story about Jesus, both Old and New Testament.
I’ve heard great things about the Jesus Storybook Bible!
I would HIGHLY, highly recommend the DVD series called “What’s in the Bible” … It’s done by Phil Vischer, who created Veggie Tales. What I like about the “What’s in the Bible” series is it walks through EVERY book of the Bible and explains them and how they lead to Jesus. It’s a 13 disk series, but great for kids of all ages - even adults! I have learned from this series and I do inductive bible studies. Great great! Check your library! Our local library has this series as well as our church library.
I am not affiliated with Phil Vischer or “What’s in the Bible” … I just enjoy them so much! =)
Oh Morgan we LOVE “What’s in the Bible!” .. ok .. to clarify..I love it. My girl is strangely bothered by the puppets. She’s much more into Veggie Tales right now because the animated characters make more sense to her
I’m glad we own a few of the “What’s in the Bible” DVDs though because they’ll definitely be great as she gets a little older! (and I am an affiliate for them..and you should totally sign up to be one since you love it so much!)
This is one area where I thank God. I love when my son or daughters ask these questions because it forces me to go to God so my son sees I do not have all the answers. The we look up the answer together. If it is not enough then he knows to keep seeking truth. To keep asking questions and find answers.