But Do You Really Get It?

We were casually chit-chatting about this and that as we drove through town that day.  It was a Sunday.  I noticed Izzy looking out the front seat, passenger’s window.  Her eyes followed the scenery outside.  I could tell she was thinking about something.  Then she turned to me and said, “Mom, do you know I would lay down my life for you and Dad?  I would die for you.”

“What?  What did you say?”

“I said I would lay down my life for you and Dad.  I love you both so much that I would die for you.”

I was speechless.  Questions flooded my mind.  I couldn’t gather my thoughts.  I didn’t know if I should take her seriously, cry, or pull over the car.

What does she mean?  Does she know something I don’t?  She’s 11 years old.  Why would she be thinking such lofty things?  What prompted such a thought anyway?

I cleared my throat, and the question that came out of my mouth was not one of the many going through my head.

“You’re not afraid to die are you, Izzy?”

I could tell she was choosing her words carefully.  “No.  I’m really not.  I don’t want to suffer, but I can’t wait for heaven. And I can’t wait to see Jesus.”

I squirmed in my seat as we pulled into the parking lot.  This was not a comfortable conversation for me, but Izzy was completely relaxed and all smiles.  She bounced out of the car and grabbed my hand as we walked into the store.

“Are you crying, Mom?”

“A little bit.  Your words meant a lot to me, but I’ll admit I’m not as comfortable as you are talking about things like dying.”

“Yeah, I understand.  I just wanted you to know how much I love you.  That’s all.”

Izzy went to look at nail polish and I went to pick up a few items across the aisle.  As I did, a thought struck me.  Easter weekend was approaching.  It was obvious the story of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection was on her mind.  We had several conversations along those lines the days before.  That must be where this is coming from, I thought.

Later that afternoon, as we were settling into a quiet evening, I asked Izzy what had prompted her to tell me what she had earlier in the day.  She said that she was listening to the message in church that morning and started to understand how much Jesus loved her.  I think that as she processed through the depth of His love for her she likened it to her love toward her earthly parents, and thus the pivotal, emotionally deep, never-to-be-forgotten, conversation.

As much as I would like to think that Izzy is wise beyond her years, it’s quite the opposite.  The truth is she’s being a child.  She’s coming before her Father with a childlike faith.  She’s being who God wants her to be—actually, who God wants all of us to be.  She’s learning how much her Heavenly Father loves her.

But do I?  As a forty-something grown up, do I understand?  Have I ever really understood?  Do you?  Do you understand how much God loves you?

He (Jesus) called a child, had him stand among them, and said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn around and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven! Whoever then humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4

Childlike faith.

Sometimes I marvel at what I learn from my daughters.  Their childlike faith challenges me to my core.  And humbly, I must admit, they didn’t learn this kind of faith from me.

Maybe times were simpler for me during my pre-teen years, maybe I didn’t think I needed God as much as they do in this day and age, but I know I didn’t grasp God’s love like they do.  A friend of mine said it best, “I continue to be amazed by the spiritual depth and passion of our kids. The students have far bypassed the teachers. Humbled for sure.”

I agree, Shellee, I so agree.