This One's for the Kids.

Dear Jesus,

I'm thinking about the home that I want to cultivate alongside my husband someday... the home that welcomes Your little ones, and delights in their souls.

You did not forbid them. They were welcomed. You embraced them, knew them by name. You genuinely loved them. They never inconvenienced You.

Does my heart embrace? Are children welcome past the entry way? Children with their mess-making abilities, sticky fingers, and knack for breakables? I love to picture how You would've set up Your home, Jesus. Children would be welcome to sit on the "good furniture." They would be more than welcome to put their hands on the windows to peer outside at Your creation.

My heart... and I mean the deep, passionate pieces of my heart... longs to invite little ones to an atmosphere of grace. May they know they are wanted in my life, loved in my life. Eyes that can’t yet see over the counter, doors too heavy, knobs too tall- May I use stepping stools, Jesus.

Help me not to hold them back, but let them grow, explore, create, have space to breathe. May they have a place to play, where toys can come out without frustration, have a place to belong.

May there be space for laughter, a place on the wall for their pictures, cups they can reach if they are thirsty, books at their fingertips to grow on.

May they have a comforting, soft and clean place to sleep, inviting them to the blessing of rest. May they have boundaries which protect, but not so many that quench their spirit. May I let them help stir up dinner, roll the color on their bedroom wall and pour the soap in the washing machine. Help me slow down when they are following and listen to their conversation with both ears. May they not just have fingerprints on the window, but fingerprints in the atmosphere. May I help them see where they belong, and Who they belong to.

Above all, may this home have an attitude of grace. May accidental spills, and I-didn’t-mean-to messes, and I'm-so-sorry breaks be easily forgiven. May they hear “yes” from my lips more then they hear, “no” when asking for outside adventures, finger painting, and imaginative dress up. May discipline be handled with love, given for their best, not my state of happiness. May I have a heart to enjoy the moments shared, and a home to embrace them. May the children always know I love them...always.forever.no matter what. May I treasure their presence always, for You did not forbid them.

Matthew 19:13-15
Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
And He laid His hands on them…

So thankful for children today, Jesus. Thank you for placing a passion in my heart for their souls and their lives. Use me, Jesus. Let them know I love them.

Oh so much.

Love,
Lyss