This is a guest post from Chris Brauns. I wrote this several years ago. Our "three year old" is growing up rapidly. But I know that Zach has a young family. I pray they will have many memories like this, even in the midst of planting a church and leading the Apple organization and playing jazz.
Our Bible story at dinner the other night was about Elijah. My wife makes these beef enchilada things that are really good. While our four children finished eating their enchiladas I shared with them the story of how Elijah was taken to be with Christ in a chariot of fire.
When I got done with the story, I asked our youngest child what the Bible story was about. She just turned three so it was not a given that she was plugged into the story, especially since the enchiladas were all over her high chair. But, with a big smile, Mary Beth said “Elijah.” She didn’t have many details. She knew horses and Heaven were involved. But, everybody else around the table cheered because Mary Beth had listened to the Bible story.
After that, we prayed around the table. (Mary Beth almost always prays for her grandmas) and then we sang “This Little Light of Mine.” She loves those motions. I don’t know about you, but we aren’t going to let Satan “whuff” it out at our house.
It was a wonderful moment at our house. Christian parenting doesn’t happen all at once. At the center, Christian parenting is not about dropping our children off at Sunday School so someone else can do the job. Raising a child to follow Christ is a long journey made up of short steps. These steps must include sharing the Word of God. We all celebrated when Mary Beth took a three year old step along the road, even if it was only to remember that the story was about Elijah.
See also Hamballs and Talking Smack About the Showdown on Mt. Carmel and What We'll Miss the Most
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