Loving Mom, Praising God

Another high moment took place recently in the life of one of my young grandchildren. Jovie, age five, was baptized about a month ago at her own request. Pastor Ron Smalls led the moment and David, my son in law and Jovie’s dad, did the actual baptizing.

Jovie’s most recent event is reminiscent of Bella’s Big God Story (See “God Is The Life For Us”).

Here is Janea's explanation of what happened.

“Tonight was our communion service, one of the first Jovie has participated in.  She was writing notes during the scripture reading and explanation of the service, and she handed me this note.  This, along with Dex singing me a song he made up about tractors, is enough to make this Momma's heart soar.”

Here is what Jovie wrote:  I love you, Mom.  I praise You, God; all on her own, no prompting.

When you see something like this, it becomes clear what Jesus meant when he said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Luke 18:16, NIV) These were radical words for adults in those days. Children were elevated from a level of unimportance, to the standard for citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven.

There is a remarkable thing going on here. Later, Jovie said to Janea, “I don’t praise you, mom, I praise God.” There was no context to this, it was just something Jovie came up with.

Is it possible for a five year old to be able to distinguish between who parents and loved ones are, and who God is, and that God is the only one who deserves our praise?

Apparently so.

In our own lives it is easy for God to be pushed onto a back burner in favor of something or someone who gets more praise and honor than God does.

There are some tough words coming from Jesus about this. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26, NIV)

It should be obvious that Jesus is not talking about actual, carnal hatred, or that would completely negate everything else he said. He is talking about giving God the glory, praise, honor, and our lives, that he and no one else deserves. It means to love Him more than we do any other. We are called to love our fellow human beings as ourselves, but to love and praise God supremely, above all else.

In that moment, five year old Jovie was able to express what it meant to give praise to God, and him only. Her love for her mom is strong. Janea provides an atmosphere of unconditional love and, what Janea calls, “Momma bear protection” for her kids, as well as teaching them expectations for good conduct and everything that goes along with that.

Did Jovie understand what it meant to be baptized? It would seem so. She gave as her main reason, “Because Jesus wants me to.”

Did she understand what it meant to take communion? I have a feeling she did.

To say that we are all proud of her is an understatement. More importantly, Jovie will have a number of people praying for her, that she can grow to help others understand what living for Jesus means; what it means to come to him and praise him.

Jesus is calling all of us to himself. Thanks be to God, He is calling the kids also.

“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
“From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise?”
(Matthew 21:16, Jesus quoting Psalm 8:2, NIV)

By the way, I also heard two year old Dexter’s tractor song. It is a definite hit!