The Innocence of a Child

Every Thursday night, I get the opportunity to babysit. When I was younger, this was a great way to make money, however this has now changed. Instead this is my time to reconnect with youth, my time to escape from the ugliness of the world and have a tickle fight, or let a little girl play with my hair. Tonight was no exception. It started out a bit rough, today was a long day for the kids, so they were tired and a bit cranky. The boy had a reading assignment that needed to get done. However, he was not having this. Finally, in tears he called his parents to let them know he couldn't do it anymore. It moved me with how simple it was for the voice of his father to calm him down. All it took was to just hear his gentle reassurance and the boy was instantly less stressed. And while I still couldn't get him to think about reading, he was calm enough to move on to his other homework. Pajamas were on, and teeth got brushed. It was time for prayers. Due to the exhaustion of the kids (they were staring to get rowdy, I offered to say them. We knelt and the kids were quiet as we prayed. 

Last night in institute, we talked about prayer, and what prayer is to us. This is actually something I have been thinking about since Sunday pretty intently. I realized as I was saying this prayer out loud, that is our phone call to dad. Our Father in Heaven has that soothing voice that can calm us down almost immediately. He is the one we call on our time of stress and need. Whenever I am feeling completely overwhelmed and the people he has left me with for this mortal existence aren't cutting it, I can get on my knees and cry out to Him. And while He doesn't take it away, He helps me to cope, to find a solution to make it through. He is my comfort. When I real need it, I can feel His arms around me as He offers his support and love. 

After prays, we had some struggles get to bed, but finally I got the little girl to her room and I was leaving to take the boy to his. As we walked out, the little girl, M, asked if her brother could stay and snuggle for a bit. I smiled and said no, P needed to get to his own bed. I offered up myself for snuggling as soon as I made sure P was in bed. So it was. 

I got all the lights turned off and went and laid with her in her bed. She was all excited as she showed me the different constellations on her ceiling. We talked about those for a bit. I asked her if she wanted me to leave or stay till she was asleep, she wanted me there. It got quiet and she whispered that it was too quiet sometimes, so I offered to sing to her as she fell asleep. 

I started with my favorite primary song, a child's prayer. It brought tears to my eyes as I heard my voice breaking through the silence speaking these true words, Heavenly Father, are you really there, do you hear and answer every child's prayer? Some say that Heaven is far away, but I feel it close around me as I pray. Heavenly Father, I remember now, something that Jesus told disciples long ago, suffer the children to come to me, Father, in prayer, I'm coming now to thee. 

As I was singing these words I wondered how many times throughout my life I had asked myself those same questions. Was He really there?  Does He really hear me and answer me?  And I remembered all the times I had felt my little piece of Heaven as I had prayed. I had felt His presence around me as I came to Him in prayer. Then I moved on to the second verse. 

Pray, He is there. Speak, He is listening. You are His child, His love now surrounds you. He hears your prayers. He loves the children. Of such is the Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven. 

As I sang those simple words, my heart burned. I know these are true, I know I am a child of God, and I know He loves me. I know He listens. Every night as I imagine myself going to sit on His big fluffy white couch to have my time win Him, I know He is there just for me. 

I love being with these kids, while they are normal kids, get teach me so much every week. They see the best in everything and have such peace around them. Their simple testimonies of the gospel are so strong. You can feel their spirits just wanting to share with everyone. I am so grateful for my gentle reminder each week. They help me to keep myself aligned with the will if the Father and of my Savior.