How Very Deep....

I’ve been really convicted of my need for quiet time with God lately. I need it. My panicky, frantic, busy soul demands it. And when I do it? I am centered. Centered in Him. I can deal with this, make it through that….

I’ve found a routine for quietness that is working well for me in this season of my life. I have some little gardens spread around my yard in different spots. No sprinkler system, though. Right now a lack of sprinklers is one of the greatest paths through which God is blessing me. That’s when we “talk.” In the mundane activity of holding a shower of water above my tomatoes and snowpeas and rosemary, I’m forced to be still. I’m horrible at stillness, but am learning to love it. Through this “forced stillness” in the mundane activity of plant-watering, God speaks to me. And because I’m tethered to a 50-foot hose, I’m forced to be still enough to listen.

Besides my amateur “quietness skills,” I also lack any inclination toward music. I’ve never been drawn to it the way some are, and in the past it hasn’t been particularly magnetic in drawing me close to God in worship. In the past couple of months, though, I have been touched in deep ways by some songs. It seems that about every other week a different song touches my heart in a deep and powerful way and I can’t get the lyrics off my mind all week long. Last week it was:

How deep the father’s love for us;

How vast beyond all measure.

That he would give His only son,

To make a wretch His treasure.

These words literally brought tears to my eyes, and I am not a crier, believe me! The contrast in the words “wretch” and “treasure” convict me, and the rest of the song goes on to describe the entirety of what is required me, a wretch, God’s treasure.

All week while I watered my seedling plants I sang these words. I meditated upon them, and I listened to God tell my heart of His “vast beyond all measure” love for me. I “understand” (who can really understand….but you know what I mean) the crucifixion at a whole new level, and I spent the week feeling true sorrow over my sins. I sang “restore unto me, the joy of my salvation” and God answered.

So…this is a teaching blog….about teaching children. How does my quietness with God and the power of some different songs in my life relate? I’ve been singing my current song to my baby, over and over again. When it’s been applicable, I’ve said things like, “I love that part!” “Do you know what that means?” I’ve told her some of the stories referred to in the songs. But mostly I’ve just sang. And I pray that God will speak to her little, 18-month old heart, and that He will impress upon it the meaning behind the words in these songs.

We are constantly teaching our children through song. ABC’s, Twinkle, Twinkle, etc. I am touched that God put it on my heart to lead my daughter to Him through some of the songs that are also leading me to Him. Of course we sing her the “baby songs” about our faith—Jesus Loves Me, This Little Light of Mine….but I don’t want to stop there. Because I want my baby to know, right now, in any tiny degree that she can begin to understand…I want her to know the depth of her Father’s love for her. And I want to be the one to tell her.

So sing to your babies. Sing to them the deep truths of God’s word and explain to them what those precious words mean to you.