I just had an impromptu and wonderful bible lesson with the boys. We were eating breakfast together and I suggested we read a bible verse. Pierce has been resistant to the bible stories out of the Jesus Storybook Bible for awhile now and I finally asked him about it. It turned out he didn't like the pictures and I actually get it. They are a little offbeat and odd. So this morning I just had the idea to read the verse of the day from my Bible app. It was the verse from Isaiah that prophesies Jesus' birth calling him the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. I told him them that that verse was talking about Jesus.
Earlier this week I taught them the letter J Bible verse which starts with Jesus and taught them the sign for it which points to his scarred hands. I gently explained about the owies Jesus got when he died on the cross. It's funny what really hits them and sinks in sometimes. It turns out bad owies are something that a 3 year old can really relate to and I could tell it really concerned them. That day I think I briefly recounted about Jesus dying on the cross, but then raising again.
So back to today... I asked them if they remembered the sign for Jesus and Pierce immediately got a serious look on his face and did the sign. I said yes! and asked if they'd like to hear the Bible story about Jesus. It is letter J week after all. I expected Pierce to be resistant again, but they both said yes. I got the Bible and opened to the story of the crucifixion. I've tried to be really careful to straddle the line of keeping it appropriate for their little 3 year old minds, but also letting them know the truth of the story. One of my biggest spiritual goals as their mom has been to help them know and understand the extravagant love of their Savior. That it's not about what they do or don't do, but it's about what He did. And his sacrifice is the greatest act of love. I sometimes paraphrased a bit and kept it more about Jesus getting really hurt instead of killed and I could tell it was really sinking in. They asked so many questions, especially about the mean soldiers would want to hurt Jesus. They both had such sad looks on their faces and I was a little worried I was going too far. One page has a closer pictures of Jesus' face with a few cuts and looking sad. Blaine started whimpering a little and said he didn't want to look at that one anymore. I turned the page, but told him the story had a really happy ending. I finished to the point where he appears to Mary and we all cheered as we saw an illustration of the risen again Jesus. It was so gratifying to watch their little faces process and reflect the story. I pointed out that Jesus' owies were gone and before I could say anything else Pierce said, "Not that one!". He had noticed the tiny dot of a nail scar all the way across the table! I tried to explain what a scar was and they asked a few more questions- especially Blaine . He asked if Jesus could get hurt anymore and I assured him never again! It's hard to explain the victory of Jesus conquering death and sin in their place, but not lead them astray that our world is now perfect. I explained at one point that Jesus got hurt instead of them and that he took all of the bad and sad things on himself.
I could tell that Blaine was still a little sad (our sweet sensitive one) and wanted to leave things on a happy note. He asked me to hold him, so I picked him up and asked them who we would get to meet in heaven one day. We went through Jesus, God, and even Grant. (I'm really hoping they don't thing of Grant as part of the trinity!) Then I asked Blaine if he knew what I thought we'd do when we saw Jesus. I told him that we could run as fast as we could and jump in his arms and that Jesus would spin us around. He got a big smile on his face as we spun together and I don't think it's a moment I will soon forget. I get tears in my eyes thinking about eternity with my sweet boys and so grateful that we all have the opportunity to be carried in our Savior's arms together. Then as I was still holding him Blaine looked up at the ceiling and said, "Jesus, I'm sorry you got hurt. Sorry. Thank you, Jesus!" I was stunned and I think my heart just about burst.
Father, I pray that these seeds that are being sown in their little hearts would fall on fertile soil and take deep root. Help them to grow into a true and penetrating love for you. I pray that both boys would continue to understand your sacrifice and live lives of gratitude for all you've done and will do in their lives. Help them to see you as a loving and gracious Father who wants only good for them and has a perfect plan. Please continue to use us as their parents to point them to you. Give us wisdom and the right words at the right time. Thank you, Jesus!
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