Prayer, Pizza Dough, and Preschoolers

A friend and I are using the book, "Window on the World," with our kids this year. This book provides a "window" into the lives of people living all around the globe. It was created to help families and individuals pray for people around the globe. Each section contains information about the area, the religion of the people, stories of faith, and suggested prayers and praises.

We are using it on Sundays for a focused time of prayer at the dinner table. My friend called me, curious about how it was going.

I let her know we were reading it during dinner time and then praying as a family for the country. She still seemed confused and even a bit discouraged when we hung up.

After thinking about it all day, it suddenly occurred to me that I had probably given her the WRONG impression of our devotion time at dinner. I realized that I described the way I intended to use the book and didn't describe how it looked in reality with preschoolers.

I called back that night to clarify how things really went the night before...

As soon as I began to read the information on China to the girls, I realized that I should have pre-screened this particular section.

Since I had not, I began skimming the information and trying to communicate it in a more basic manner. The information in this particular section was clearly a bit over their heads.

About one minute into my talking, T (age 5) interrupted me to ask a question about eating pizza. I answered her and then reminded her that we were reading. Because apparently that had slipped her attention.

I continued reading about a little boy in China and suddenly T informed us that she had finally realized how they make pizza crust!

"They must roll the edges in!"

I recognize her five year old moment of brilliance with a smile and then I continued reading.

Meanwhile, D (age 2) walked over to me and began hanging on my arm. He was making noises, but not really saying anything. I continued reading, while holding my arm steady, assuming that he just wanted to swing.

Then my husband interrupted me to let me know that he D had something to tell me. Apparently that had escaped my attention and my hubby thought I could use a break from the arm weight.

So I turned to D and asked him what he'd like to tell me. He proceeded to inform me that he gave a stuffed animal to C (age 3 months). I assured him that he was a sweet and wonderful big brother. Then he let go of my arm and marched away from the table, back to his matchbox cars.

Finally, our discussion ended.

In the same time span, we also encouraged the creative thought of a five year old girl AND reassured a little boy that he was adapting beautifully to his role as a big brother.

Not bad for five minutes.

Then as a family, we bowed our heads and prayed for the people of China. Each one of us said one sentence thanking God for the Christians in China or asking Him to send more missionaries. There was something so precious about that moment, especially in the midst of the reality of our lives.

To an outsider, it probably looked like chaos. But God is able to work in the midst of chaos and draw the hearts of His little ones to Him.

Matthew 19:14...

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Interestingly enough, it was our seemingly distracted child, T, who prayed for the people of China the next night at dinner.

Without any prompting.

Which encouraged me to remember that even when their little minds are racing all over with ideas, God is using our words to speak to their hearts. He will make their hearts tender.