So I had this long post about all of the words that Anna is saying and all of the signs that she is perfecting, but she just decided to top it all today and pull out the big guns for Mama to be astounded over. Mentioning any of the other words in this post just seemed plain silly and irrelevant to anything of great value after today's events.
I was reading Anna her bible picture book earlier in the day and was saying multiple different names of animals and people throughout the book as I went, asking her to repeat as we went along...moo, roar, dog, baby and such. When all of a sudden we reached Jesus' big debut page and I pointed to Him in the manger and said "that's Jesus, Anna, can you say Jesus?" (while me and my little faith highly doubted I'd hear anything in return but the typical blank stare when I know she's thinking, but not going to produce anything out of her mouth.)
Anna looked right at me...and said "Ji-zus", pronounced with a short "i" sound and more of a "z" sound on the 2nd consonant.
Mama: WHAT?! What did you say honey? Can you say that again so mama can make sure she really heard you? Can you say Jesus?
Anna: "Ji-zus" she says...as she toddles off, back to her bookshelf, to get the next book. Because mama, what's the big deal? Why wouldn't you think I could say that?
I sat kind of astounded for the rest of the day.
Fast forward to tonight...as she was throwing her nightly tantrum through the whole bedtime process, I drew her over to my arms and told her we were going to say our nigh-nigh prayers. We don't usually do it this style, but tonight I got brave, after this afternoon's episode.
Mama: Repeat after me Anna..."Jesus"
Anna: "Ji-zus"
I had to just stop, while my mouth dropped open (because me-of-little-faith figured I had imagined things earlier and she wouldn't really say it again and because my heart and eyes were actually welling up at the simple and pure and profound sound of my 14 month old's voice speaking the name of God with such sweet sincerity) and then I repeated...
Mama: "Jesus"
Anna: "Ji-zus"
...and then I led us the rest of the way, to His throne of grace, to ask for His covering over our home this sacred eve. There wasn't much more this mama could even say. Because once we've proclaimed His name and acknowledged Him in our presence, isn't that just enough sometimes? I had a really hard time focusing on the rest of the bedtime routine and just swept her up into my mushy arms and heart and rocked her off to her sweet lullaby sleep.
Good night sweet girl, who is already taking precious baby steps into her life's walk of faith.
"Have you never read,
'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have perfected praise'? ""
-Matthew 21:16
Can you imagine what it does to God's heart (I can only catch a glimpse of it as my own heart melted today) when we simply just speak His name, in faith, believing He is who He says He is and He'll do what He always said He would do?
There is such power in that name.
Jesus.
"So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith.
Anyone who wants to come to Him
must believe that there is a God
and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him."
-Hebrews 11:6
2 comments:
Heavenly. Precious. And yes, just that much closer to walking with the Lord. Love to you and your little one.
OH man! I love this post! Brought me to tears. Just His name is so good. And even better to hear it from our lil ones! If we only give them Jesus, He's enough. Thanks for sharing Krystal!.
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