HSBC Coffeebreak Devotional

"Pray continually."
1 Thessalonians 5:17

We thought it was so cute when our two year old daughter learned to clasp her hands together and say "pay" (translation: pray). We all clasp our hands together and her father or I say a simple prayer before dinner and as we tuck her into her crib each night. It wasn't long before she began wanting to pray each time she was placed in her high chair...at breakfast, snack time, noon, snack time, and dinner. It became part of our routine.

Recently, we had a really rough morning. The girls and I had errands to run and my four month old chose to cry the entire time we did them. We returned home later than we should've and I had two little girls who were well past their naptimes. I settled in my infant and then hurriedly lifted my toddler into her high chair. As I placed her lunch tray down, she said, "pay." In my stress, I said to her, "Honey, we don't need to pray right now, right now we need for you to eat." I continued to prod her on and finally was able to carry her up into her crib. As I closed the blinds, she again said to me, "pay" and clasped her hands together. Thinking this was being used as a stalling tactic, I again said to her, "Honey, it's nigh-nigh time. I love you!" and closed her door.

As soon as I closed her door, the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 came into my mind. What had I just taught my daughter? That sleep and food are more important than prayer? That when we get busy or stressed, it's okay to put God on the backburner? I was mortified. What I can learn from my child... no wonder Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Matthew 19:14).

On that stressful day, when my toddler woke, I cuddled with her in the rocking chair and prayed with her. In my prayer, I asked God to forgive mommy for letting her busyness get in the way of talking with God. I also thanked him for using my daughter to teach me a valuable lesson about faithfulness.

Written by
Holly Hauskins