Last weekend, my husband and I drove to our daughter’s house to pick up our three-year-old grandson. He came back home with us for the week. This is the first time since moving that he’s been at our house. Since our youngest child is now twenty-five, I wondered how we would do with a toddler around. It’s been many years.

The week has been so much fun. We’ve played out on the slide and swings. We walked to the park almost every day and Jimmy was so excited. I read books to him, sang the ABC song more times than there are letters in the alphabet, played Candy Land and laughed so much.

Although I didn’t get any writing work done this week, I had a job that was so rewarding. There is nothing quite like praying at night with a grandchild and talking to them about Jesus and His love for them. Even at a young age they can begin to understand the concept.

In Deuteronomy 6:7 God speaks about His commandments and statutes. He tells the Israelites to, “… teach them diligently to your children and … talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.“

Teaching children is a full-time occupation and not up to those who work at a school or the video you put on the television. Every day, I talked to Jimmy about what color clothes he would wear, counted things with him, and put a red sock on his right foot and a green sock on his left foot. Every interaction turned into a chance to teach him even though it seemed more like play time.

Interwoven in the play time and lessons were tidbits about God and talking about Biblical truths. Although Jimmy is too young to understand a sermon, he can easily grasp stories of the Bible and begin to learn the concepts of love, sacrifice, grace and obedience. One bit at a time.

This coming week Jimmy’s parents and his baby brother will be at our house. I will continue to demonstrate that Christianity isn’t a Sunday morning thing to do, but is a life style. It means praying at meal times no matter where we are eating. Or learning a “God” lesson at the playground when the moment arises. A Christian lifestyle even means showing forgiveness when aggravated with someone. (Whew! That one can be tough. lol)

Just as I did with my children, I want my grandchildren to see me live out my faith every moment of every day. What a privilege to share Jesus with a young and curious mind—a child eager to learn. Although years have passed since I had a toddler in the house, not much has changed in the way I interact with them. Such a blessing and so many precious memories.