Sooner Than I Thought

Just before saying her bedtime prayer, Lizzy turned to me and said, "Some kids were laughing at Jesus today." I asked her to tell me more and she said that some kids were not listening to the teacher today and she told them that Jesus wants us to listen to the teacher. The kids laughed and so then she told them that laughing at Jesus makes Him feel bad. She asked them if they go to church to which they replied, "yes." but then they continued to laugh at Lizzy. She shared with me that she decided they must have lied to her about going to church because, in her 5-year-old logic, if they went to church they wouldn't have laughed and made fun of her for talking about Jesus. She said one little girl told her that Jesus was just make believe but Lizzy told her that He is real.

I knew something like this would happen, I just didn't know it would happen on the second day of kindergarten. Lizzy's belief in the Savior and her faith in Him is strong but this little experience just reaffirms my feelings that her testimony, even at this tender age, must be strong and powerful and able to withstand any attacks that may come. The Spirit has told me on many occasions that I should never underestimate Lizzy's and Ben's and any child's ability to feel and recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Children are capable of having powerful spiritual experiences and if we think they aren't we are robbing them of the protection that can only come from knowing when the Holy Ghost is talking to them.

Our family scripture study is not spiritual every morning, in fact it is almost never spiritual and it usually only lasts about 5 minutes. Our family prayers are short and sometimes interrupted with Troy or I grabbing Ben while he is trying to run away. Family Home Evening is well, let me put it this way, I am soooo not creative. My poor kids. But we haven't given up yet and Lizzy's experience makes me even more determined to be consistent, no matter what.

"As our sons were growing up, our family did what you have done and what you now do. We had regular family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening. Now, I am sure what I am about to describe has never occurred in your home, but it did in ours.

"Sometimes Sister Bednar and I wondered if our efforts to do these spiritually essential things were worthwhile. Now and then verses of scripture were read amid outbursts such as “He’s touching me!” “Make him stop looking at me!” “Mom, he’s breathing my air!” Sincere prayers occasionally were interrupted with giggling and poking. And with active, rambunctious boys, family home evening lessons did not always produce high levels of edification. At times Sister Bednar and I were exasperated because the righteous habits we worked so hard to foster did not seem to yield immediately the spiritual results we wanted and expected.

"Today if you could ask our adult sons what they remember about family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening, I believe I know how they would answer. They likely would not identify a particular prayer or a specific instance of scripture study or an especially meaningful family home evening lesson as the defining moment in their spiritual development. What they would say they remember is that as a family we were consistent." "More Concerned and Diligent At Home" By Elder David A. Bednar, Oct. 2009 General Conference.

“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33).

Our children are capable of powerful spiritual experiences, even our very young children. In fact, they need powerful spiritual experiences when they are very young. There are so many voices in this world screaming confusion and unrighteousness in their ears. Above all those voices a child's ability to understand the voice of the Spirit is crucial and so very, very possible.

The most wonderful, comforting part is that while we are striving to help our children develop a personal relationship with the Savior, He is working even harder to foster that relationship as well. It is His work and His glory. (Moses 1:39) They that be with us are more than they that be with them. (2 Kings 6:16)

Lizzy wasn't alone today as she testified of Christ. I need to remember that. She will never be alone as she stands for what is right. She was our Father's daughter before she was mine and He is going to be by her side always and help her in ways and at times I cannot. Have faith Lisa Love, do not fear for her. We know which team is going to win in the end and Lizzy is on that team.