Graham Cracker Faith

Sometimes I underestimate toddlers' and preschoolers' ability to understand the ways in which God works. Working with our little ones at KidsPoint has opened my eyes to ways they can learn about and experience our great and living God. Take Wednesday, for example. I had loaded up the kids to head to the farmer's market and pick up some produce. It was so glum outside, I didn't anticipate it being as hot and humid as it turned out to be. Even before we pulled out onto the highway, Riley began asking for something to drink and eat. A snack....rats! I knew I had forgotten something! Now, with two children, it is inevitable that I am going to forget something. I tried to satisfy him by letting him know it was going to be a short trip and we could have a snack when we returned home. Soon, he started getting specific. He didn't just want a snack, he wanted GRAHAM CRACKERS.

"There's no graham crackers in here, Riley," I explained.
"I want graham crackers, mommy!"
"We don't have any. We ate them all going to Nana's," I reiterated.
"But I just want some graham crackers," he insisted.

Recalling Lonnie Riley's story from this week's audio sermon where the man had shown up at his doorstep asking for $75 to which he replied, "I don't have $75 but if God gives me $75 then I promise I will give it to you." So, I said to Riley, "Riley, we don't have any graham crackers, but I promise if God gives mommy graham crackers, I will give them to you."

"Thank you mommy," he said and didn't ask again for the snack....until we returned home. As soon as we walked in the door, "Mommy, can I have graham crackers now?"

"If God gives them to mommy, I will give you some." I knew good and well that we were out of graham crackers and also knew that Adam had cleaned out the pantry the day before, so any remnants of graham crackers would have been tossed out. Nevertheless, I opened up the pantry and smack-dab on the first shelf laying there all by themselves were a mostly-full pack of graham crackers...just enough for Riley and I to share for a snack.

"Riley, come get your graham crackers," I called to him.
He walked up the stairs, looked in my eyes knowingly and said to me, "Who put those graham crackers there?"
"God did, Riley. You asked for them didn't you?"
He looked his little eyes up to the sky and whispered, "Thank you, God."

I'm not sure who learned more about faith that day, me or Riley. But one thing I know for sure, that was Riley's first encounter with faith, one I (and hopefully he) will never forget. God is here. God is listening. God cares. Faith like a child...