My Cup Overflows

Shame on me for trying to hurry through our nightly routine.  I know that these moments with the kids are precious, but I have to admit that sometimes I look forward to just vegging out on the couch.  I need tonight to be a reminder to me as to just how important these "mommy-duties" can be. 

After taking a bath, brushing her teeth, and one last stop at the potty; Twiggy's final bedtime gauntlet consists of being carried up the stairs a funny way.  Usually she wants her daddy to carry her by the arms and me to grab her legs.  We have to swing her 32 times before tossing her on the bed.  No joke, 32 times! Twiggy then picks out five books to take to bed.  We had to put a limit on this months ago, because the poor girl was running out of room in her bed!  I will read her one book and sometimes she will "read" one to me.  We say prayers and then I rub her back until she is almost asleep.

Tonight's routine was much the same.  The only difference seemed to be that she asked to be carried like a "princess in a parade," while giving her best pagent wave to her daddy.  We read the book, L is for Loving.  Then it was time for prayers.  I have been trying to go a little deeper with her prayers.  First we talk about what she is thankful for.  Her responses vary from "Daddy, Mommy, and Zaven" to "my new kittens." Recently, I have been asking, "Is there anything you want to ask God for?" To this she almost always gives me a blank stare. I model for her by saying, "God, please help Kinsley to have a great day at school tomorrow," or "Please help Zaven to feel better." Tonight when I told Twiggy it was time for prayers, I was totally blown away by her responses.

Me: What are you thankful for tonight?
Twiggy: That Jesus got dead so I can go to heaven.
Me: You are right! That is a wonderful thing to thank God and Jesus for. Is there anything you want to ask God for?
Twiggy: To fill up my heart.
Me: What did you say?
Twiggy: For Jesus to fill up my heart.

Tears filled my eyes. Twiggy said she wanted me to pray it for her, so we began:
Me: Thank you Lord for this day and thank you especially for my sweet little girl.  She wants to thank you for sending Jesus to die so that she can go to heaven. She also wants to ask you something...
I looked up at Twiggy and she looked right back at me with her bright, blue eager eyes. 
Twiggy: Fill up my heart, Jesus. Amen!

I gave her a huge hug and kissed her forehead.  We called her daddy up to tell him what she prayed tonight.

I am so very proud of my daughter and so blessed that we were able to slow down to share this moment with her!