Except Ye Become as Little Children

Published January 29, 1987. I wish our family would be more religious, like other families we know. I’m not talking about my wife, Susan. She is the epitome of spirituality. It’s our children. Our family devotionals are not always what they should be. Sometimes they seem like a family fight that opens and closes with prayer.

Even with the oldest child now gone from home, we still have six ranging from 17 years of age down to 2. Try doing or saying something of common interest for that age group. You sort of shoot for the middle and ignore the ends. One solution is when the 2-year-old makes a fuss, we have the 17-year-old take him out. Now that is creativity.

Then there is family prayer. We decided that if everyone was not at home we would try and hold it anyway. Not long ago I was home alone with our 15-year-old son Brian. It was time for bed and time for a family prayer. He was downstairs in his room, so I called him on the intercom.

“Time for family prayer, Brian.” I announced.

“We’re the only ones home.” He called back on the intercom, hoping I would cancel.

“That’s okay, let’s you and I say one anyway,” I responded.

There was a pause. Finally, Brian said “I’m already in bed.”

I stood firm. “Come on up anyway. Let’s pray.”

“Say it over the intercom.” he sleepily suggested. “I’ll listen.”

Saying a prayer over the intercom seemed irreverent to me, which I also stated. But I was impressed with his creativity.

“I’ll even get down on my knees while you say it,” Brian reasoned.

“No, come upstairs for prayer,” I insisted.

He finally came, and I prayed on our behalf. Afterwards Brian went back to bed still wondering out loud why we couldn’t pray over the intercom. See what I mean?

Then there is our 2-year-old son Brandon. He loves to pray. In fact, he insists he always says a prayer first. Before anyone else. And he will not be interrupted until he is through. Sometimes Brandon says unusual things for which he is thankful. When he does, we sometimes hear muffled giggles from the other children. Like a few days ago.

It was time for family prayer, and once again Brandon insisted that he pray first. He bowed his head and among other things he said he was thankful for . . . McDonald’s. Not only was he thankful for McDonald’s, but he reminded Deity that the cheeseburgers were “real good.” He voiced his thankfulness for the catsup, the mustard, the pickles and everything that goes into a “real good” cheeseburger at McDonald’s.

I heard a few giggles from the other children, but Brandon reverently continued. Our 2-year-old son said he was thankful for Christmas, which had just past, his toys, and for the song “Jingle Bells.” At that point he decided to sing a few verses and prayerfully broke into a beautiful 2-year-old rendition of “Jingle Bells.” The giggles were even more pronounced this time, and I even cracked a smile during his prayerful performance.

Sometimes I wonder and even worry about religion, family devotionals, and children. Is the prayer heard of a 2-year-old who sings “Jingle Bells?”

I think so.

Would a prayer be honored if given over the intercom with my teenager kneeling in the basement?

Probably not.

And what does the biblical verse mean when it says “Except ye . . . become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3)? Sometimes I wonder.