Nothing sweeter....

...than hearing your little one pray.

I just started saying prayers with Parker before bedtime a couple of weeks ago. I think it was long overdue.....but I let my insecurity (the devil) get the best of me.....worrying about the 'right' thing to say.

Sad, I know. Prayers should come from the heart and really.....what could I say 'wrong' to my 2 year old while praying?

I guess because I want to teach her the way to pray....and maybe I just don't really know how to go about that.

But anyway....

On that night....I told her we were going to say our prayers. I laid down beside her, turned off the light, and told her to close her eyes.

I said, "Dear Lord, Thank you for this day and for your many blessings. And thank you for Mommy and Daddy and baby Grace and Parker....and..." and I continued doing this until I went through the whole family and some friends.....then I said "Amen."

She sat so quietly throughout the entire prayer. Her interest was peaked.

When I was done....she quickly asked me to do it again. So I did.

Then I told her it was her turn. She was quiet. I didn't want to pressure her so I told her it was ok and got up to start singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" like I always do.

She said, "No, wait. It's my turn!"

So I laid back down beside her, and she said, "Dear Lord, thank you for my Mommy and my Daddy.....{and the list went on naming more family and friends}". Then she started saying, "....and thank you for my bed and my curtains and my ceiling fan and my clothes and my room. Amen."

I shrieked a giddy shriek inside my head and smiled from ear to ear. I thought to myself, "She got it!"

Every night since then....I have really continued to say that same prayer....but have since added to the beginning "...help Parker to listen to her Mommy and Daddy.....and help Mommy to be patient....and help Daddy to come home safe from work."

And pretty much every night since the first night we prayed together....she has chosen not to pray.

But tonight. Tonight....for some reason....she was ready. And this was her prayer...

"Thank you for my Mommy and my Daddy and my baby sister, and baby Grace, and help Mommy to be patient. And help Daddy to.......come home from work. Amen."

It seriously brought tears to my eyes. I told her it was beautiful...that she did a wonderful job.... and kissed her pretty little head.