Pint sized theology

I used to pray a lot more before I was a mom. Or maybe I should say that I prayed a lot more elaborate prayers. I had time for quiet adoration, for chaplets, personal prayer, and the rosary. And yet with all that, I doubt any prayer has born more fruit than the one I did today: just one decade of the rosary. But I prayed it together with my oldest son who is learning the prayers. I held the rosary, he had a hand on my head (don't ask me why) and kept turning circles around me while praying. He was paying atention though, because when I stopped.. he supplied the words. I prayed with my youngest son next to me, who repeatedly grabbed the rosary and put it in his mouth.

I doubt any prayer could be more valued by Our Lord who said "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them." I know that since I have gathered the children in my prayers instead of being bothered by their interuption, I pray more. And I pray more fruitful. Even if it is just one decade of the rosary, on brightly coloured wooden beads as big as my fingertip, while one child tries to play tug-a-rope with the rosary, and the other is trying to wind my hair in a birds nest, milling around like the blades of a waterwheel. BTW, the most beautiful part of it all? After we finished, Joseph said: "Shall we do again??"

Praise God for children.


Now, the road to the rosary did not always go over roses. We had a few theological incidents on the way. Maybe I am trying to teach a bit too much. Occupational hazard anyone? But everything is a teaching moment. A few weeks ago we were reading a boardbook on the couch, Joseph, Michael and I. The book is called "What is Easter?" and it's a favorite of Joseph since he received it about two years ago. It tells about how fun easter eggs and bunnies and parades are, but that easter is not about that stuff, but all about God's son.

So.. we come to the end. "Okay, I get it. The Easter Bunny is okay, and Easter eggs are fun. But Easter is not about that stuff, it's all about God's son." The end. So... I decided to throw in a bit of theology in the mix at 9 am.

So Joseph... do you know who God's son is? It's J... J... Jesus!
Joseph repeats enthousiastically: Jesus!
Me: Yes. Jesus is the Son of God. He is the Father, the Son and..
Joseph and me together: the Holy Ghost.
Joseph: AND AMEN!




Hmmmmmm....

Oh well, prayer according to your capabilities is what is pleasing, right?