Let me guess, parents. You are as tired as I am of getting asked for something different nearly every day for Christmas by your sweet children! Unless you shut the TV off for an entire month preceding the glorious 25th of December, the sights and sounds of every mechanical, battery-operated, soft and cuddly and cool toy and gadget available are bombarding your children. And that leads to a lot of ASKING…at least, in my house it does.
But today as I was wrapping Christmas presents, I couldn’t help but think of something of another kind that was “asked” last Christmas. Let me set up the scenario for you…
It was Christmas Eve, and our Whittle party of 5 was all seated around the kid’s Christmas tree with the overhead lights off and only the glow of the colored lights to light the room. As we looked around at all the handmade, homemade and significant ornaments, Scotty began to ask the kids which ornament they loved the most and why. My very-sentimental oldest son, nearly 9 at the time, looked for a minute and then picked his favorite for this year: a hip-swiveling Elvis that his Elvis-loving grandmother had recently bought for him. (We laughed and agreed that it was a pretty cool ornament.) My sweet little girl, 4 years old, pointed to a green-hand painted wreath clay ornament with her picture in the middle that she made at school, proclaiming it her favorite. (It was high on our list, too, as you can imagine.)
My middle son, age 6, had been sitting quietly while the others took their turn, clearly deep in thought about what his favorite would be. Scotty finally turned to him and asked him to show us his pick. When he did, Micah stood up and walked over to one side of the tree, carefully removing his top choice. It was a rugged looking cross, very simple in design. Though deeply moved, I wasn’t altogether surprised. Micah had just recently made a salvation decision, asking Jesus in his heart. And now his already-tender spirit was even tenderer to the things of God. Wiping away tears from my eyes, I could see Micah’s bottom lip beginning to quiver. I decided to ask him a question. “Micah, why do you love that ornament so much?” Still emotional, he looked at me and very simply said, “Because of Jesus.” I probed a bit more, though I sensed I already knew the answer. “Is it because of what He did for you on the cross?” As little tears slipped down his cheeks he couldn’t speak, but instead shook his head in an affirming “yes.” I reached up and hugged him and no more words followed after. We didn’t need any.
I was so glad I had asked.
So as I reflect on this sweet scene today, as I ready myself for the big day this year, I am reminded of the importance of "asking." In this season of the “ask,” let’s remember to ask our children questions that remind them of their faith. So often we don’t hear their heart simply because we get busy and forget to ask them about what is going on inside it. After all, their little souls hold great truth that is often just waiting to come out. If you take the time to "ask," I know their answers will bless you as much as Micah’s did us.
Here’s a picture of my now 7-year old Micah a few weeks ago, putting on his best “Santa.” :) Since I asked him the question last year, I am pretty sure I know where he stands on what this season is really all about. :)
Lisa
P.S. If you want to read another sweet “Micah” story, go to my web page (linked through his blog or at http://www.lisawhittle.com/) and go to “Recent Writings.”
