Learning from the "Littles"

Jesus books . . . one of my most precious treasures (along with my mother’s hope chest). These little books date way back to our son Jeremy’s (1977 +) and our daughter Beth’s (1983+) babyhoods. Little by little over the years, I would add to the collection each time I stopped at the Christian bookstore, first in northern Virginia and then in Dallas.

As you can see from the picture below, they were handled and read with “enthusiasm.” The contact paper covers couldn’t hide the evidence of our babies’ “love” for their “Jesus books” — chew marks and all.

Well, recently I rediscovered these treasures tucked away, long after Jeremy and Beth were grown and with children of their own … our beloved grandchildren. I wanted to replace them, but alas! They were out of print. So I decided I would just take these original worn, but loved, Jesus books along on our next visit to read with the youngest two of the “littles.”

Little did I know what a hit these treasures would be.

So now visit after visit, the Jesus books appear, sometime at rest time in the afternoon, sometime at bedtime with nighttime prayers. Both William and Claire are “reading” them along with me…taking turns commenting and creating new scenarios that include themselves and those they love to go along with the pictures in the books.

The favorite by far is “God is Always with Me.” And I am so blessed! What an important truth to sink down deep into their little minds and hearts.

So here it is, page by page, with meditations from the Scriptures and the gratitude of this “Babci” (Polish grandmother) for the deep, yet simple truths that pour out of every page.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
Psalm 139:13-16 NLT

When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43: 2-3 NLT

I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
Psalm 16:7-8 NLT

To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
Psalm 139: 12b NLT

You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.
Psalm 16:11 NLT

I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
Psalm 139:7b-10 NLT

You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Psalm 139:3-4 NLT

. . . be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20b

ALL my “littles” at the beach — many almost grown up!

Thank you, O my Abba Father God, thank you for Your abiding Presence.
And thank you for my littles who lead me every time to Your heart and the refreshment of Your Presence.
I love how You said, “. . . a little child shall lead them all.” Truth from Your Mouth to my ears!
In Jesus name. Amen.