“Oh, oooh! Can I finish it?” my daughter begs as she holds up a plastic jar of “trail mix”. This isn’t just some ole trail mix you’d buy from the store. This is a home-made, one-of-a kind jar filled with sweet, salty goodness made by a friend. Imagine this- teddy grahams, m&m’s, peanuts, and candy corn! Candy Corn! Sweet goodness…. Somebody STOP ME! I couldn’t stop myself from eating this all day… so I welcomed my girls finishing off the delectable jar of treats.
Candy corn has always been a favorite of mine. I haven’t had it in years- until today, but the first taste of it brought me back to childhood. Swirling leaves on fall days, wearing warm sweaters, sitting in my driveway talking about all sorts of deep things….like what we are going to dress up as for Halloween, and what our new favorite song was on the radio.
So I ask my oldest, as she steals each kernel of candy corn from the jar, how her day was. She says “Oh, Mommy! God really does hear every single prayer!” I smile inquisitively and ask her what she means by that. “Well, I prayed that there would still be one more piece of candy corn in the jar, and there wasn’t just one, there were two!”
I told her she was silly. And then I had to correct myself. If He cares for each sparrow that falls to the ground, how much more does He care for each of us? And who am I to say God doesn’t deserve praise and glory for something as small as a my daughter finding an extra piece of candy corn?!
What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
And then, without skipping a beat, she continues to talk about her day. She says “Momma, I think Ruby is starting to like church!” And then she bowed her head, folded her hands together, and showed me how they both prayed for something today at school.
Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:2-4
Then it hits me- all those mornings I sit in my van at the bus stop and say prayers with my girls- maybe they really are listening! Most mornings they rush to get out of the van, and sometimes I wonder if they even hear me pray. I tell them we need to pray, and sometimes I hear them moan and groan about it. I think the real lesson is in not talking about it- but simply doing it. Our actions speak so much louder than our words. We say “Do as I say” when sometimes I need to do less talking and more “doing”.
As she smiles and shares with me the important details of her busy day, I praise Him for the simple things… for sweet memories, candy corn, and simple child-like faith.
Lord, thank You for bringing back memories of what it feels like to be a child again today! Thank you for candy corn and for sweet girls who help me eat it. Help me to pray without ceasing and to praise you for all things- big and small- because You are worthy of it all!
What an uplifting message to start my day!! I really needed that and know you are doing the right things by showing your girls the power of prayer. It will be their foundation all the days of their lives.
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Thanks! I am taking 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Philippians 4:6 to heart- pray without ceasing and pray for everything!
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Great post! Beautifully written. The innocence and faith of children, how I enjoyed reading this. What a great mom you are and with your guidance she’ll always have that childlike, trusting faith! God wants only the best for us!
(On a more serious side; candy corn sure does bring back subconscious memories of innocence doesn’t it?? Before the world became so complicated for us as adults. You’ve touched on one reason I love being a counselor and figuring out why people reach for ‘happy-memory’ foods, which as the example above explains. It’s okay if we control and are aware of it.)
How gracious to praise God each day for his wonderful provision and Joy, blessings,
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You are so right about “happy memory” foods, Ellie! I don’t even bring candy corn in the house because I know that I have a hard time resisting it! Before yesterday, it has been several years since I have had it! Thanks for reading! Blessings to you
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As I told my sons so many times, “Give God the glory even if He doesn’t deserve it because He does. Great post.
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Beautiful!
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