"Jeesh"

This is Merrick's Bible

"Daddy, oooh...reee...Jeesh...book!!" That is the coolest demand that a daddy could hear from a two year old who is as high-strung, wide-open as they come. As I was reading about Jesus walking on water to him tonight, he kissed the picture of Jesus, and pointed emphatically to the "airpane in wada!" (I suppose the boat resembled an airplane to him with the sails.) When we finished we then had to "oh pray Jeesh!" I once read that parents are ambassadors of Jesus to their children--that all parenting is directed at respect, love, adoration, and worship of Jesus--theoretically it takes the pressure off of the parent, because a child's obedience is ultimately not towards the parent but Jesus....Theoretically is the key word...It is quite astounding how in a mere two years, I can rattle off a long list of regrets in my parenting habits. And though as a two year old, Merrick will only *accidentally* obey 1 of 10 requests of his mommy and I, and will hold the broccoli in his mouth for two hours, and smack people in the face, and scream until veins pop out of his head in the middle of the mall, etc. etc. etc. I am humbled at his love for Jesus who he knows as Jeesh who we talk to before meals and sleeping (he has even asked me to "oh pray" when he wakes up in the middle of the night). I am humbled that Jesus has given Austin-Lee and I the grace that is Merrick Wilder and the grace that is his two-year old love of the God of the Universe. My own love and passion for Jesus will equip me to be Christ's ambassador to Wild, and He has already given me a jump on the task.

"At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure" (Matt 11:25-26).