Quin loves when we read the scriptures and pray together as a family.
In fact there are many days where she is the one to remind us to do it before she goes to bed!
Just last night, we were reading about Jesus appearing to the Nephites, and she stopped and said, “Mommy, Jesus was really happy and really nice.”
So sweet.
And then we knelt down to pray, and after months and months of family prayers where she runs around and jumps on the beanbag and talks while we are trying to get her to stay reverent and still…
She closed her eyes the entire time. (I may have peeked while my husband was praying a few times because I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing! Whoops.)
She was reverent and stayed on her knees, not moving a muscle during the prayer, and then gave me a big hug before going upstairs with daddy.
And my heart was filled with joy.
2-year-olds are often a lot of work. Frustrating. Impatient. Constantly in need.
But other times, I catch a glimpse of her pure and powerful Spirit.
She’s a real person. She’s got a full mortal life and a spiritual forever ahead of her.
And although she needs to mature developmentally…
She has faith now.
She has pure, simple faith, without a touch of Satan’s pull.
And I think that’s why Christ wept when he was with the little children.
His joy was full because of their great faith.
President Henry B. Eyring once shared that he felt frustrated with a son who was jumping on the bed.
He grabbed his son by his shoulders, and immediately the Spirit spoke to him:
“You are holding a great person.”
Children are not easy to raise. They are not always obedient, kind, and willing to share. They are not perfect in that sense.
But they are perfect in their faith.
It is unwavering. It is pure.
And that is what filled Christ with such joy that he wept.
I like to reflect on whether or not I’ve lost that Christlike faith. If I’ve become just a touch too cynical or conditional.
I want my faith to become more childlike and pure, so that I can make my Savior’s joy full.
Artwork by Gary L. Kapp
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
