“I Got All These Trees”

by

Our little family is growing.  Not only in number or size, but we are slowly getting things.  Our minds are growing.  One of my prayers for my children have been, “God, give them a mind to comprehend your nature and help them develop a big heart with which to love you.”

We use different types of teaching plans or Bibles with the children during family worship.  I have contended for a while that the best way to bring my kids up in the Lord is not the best church programs, but what we do in the home.  Lately, I have been retelling the Old Testament narrative over and over to the boys.  I have them repeat different elements to me, and we keep stacking more of the story each time.  They know the days of Creation, the 10 Commandments, and the big picture with the main characters involved.

Sometimes, you wonder if they are getting it, and then, you have a moment like I did last week and you remind yourself that you might be on to something.

While I was home with Amanda recovering, I really spent time making sure the boys knew life was still fun and good, and Baby Gloria won’t cramp their style.  We were having some 3-year-old behavior issues one evening, and I was walking outside with the boys when Obadiah started a conversation with me that was quite intriguing.

“Daddy, I don’t like this.”

“Don’t like what?” I asked.

“I don’t like it when we disobey.”

“Do you think Daddy likes it when you disobey?”

“No, but I still do it.  I’m just like Adam and Eve sometimes.”

“You are?  Tell me how.”

And as he looks up towards the trees above his head, he raises his hands and says, “I got all these trees I can eat from, and I keep coming back to that one tree I’m not supposed to have.”

“What do you mean?”

“You give me all these things I can do and play with, and I keep going back to that one thing you tell me not to do.”

That’s my (depraved) boy!  He’s starting to understand it.

Don’t drop your kids off at church, bring them home to it.