If you spend any amount of time with a toddler you can quickly notice how they take in the world around them. They are watching. Observing. Learning behind those wide eyes. Despite the whining, the full body tantrums and the jibber jabber that comes out of their little mouths. There is something magical happening inside. Wires connecting. The secret process of learning. 

One day this week my morning started with a toddler on my legs. Pulling. Crying. Screaming. Wiping her stick snot all over my pants. I was getting frustrated with every minute. What more could she need? I changed her diaper. Gave her morning hugs (or as we call them in our house “squeezes”). Fed her tummy. I was ready to move on with the day. Get some things done. 

Her 2-year-old self was not on the same page as mommy. She was in another self-centered direction. We have different goals and agendas most days. She sees the world from 3 feet. I see it from 5 feet 6 inches. 

The day continued. Picking her up I decided to start the laundry. She usually likes helping me with that and I can give her attention at the same time. Win win. 

We put the clothes in the washing machine…one article at a time (oh but we aren’t talking about patience today are we? For another day.) At the sound of the oven timer, I leave her in the laundry room. In the kitchen, the smell of blueberry muffins met my nose. Mmmm. I am lost in the baking world when I hear beeping in the laundry room. 

Hurrying back I find that my sweet toddler has gotten the rest of the laundry in the machine, door closed and is pushing the correct button to start the washing process. The missing piece was that the door did not latch when she closed it. 

I had no idea she knew. She had been watching all this time. Out of the 8 plus buttons on the machine, she already knows which one starts the whirling of water. 

Wow! Talk about observing. As the days have gone by this week I have noticed more and more things she is learning, catching on to. 

Are we watching God that closely? Can we see Him working? I know I am not nearly as observant as my daughter in the day to day. I get distracted. Tired out and plain lazy at times.

I march through my day like it was created for me. Me! Really? Isn’t that far from the truth?

Every day our Father is doing something crazy amazing. Are we watching? Do we have the observant eyes of a toddler? 

 

Matthew 18:2-4 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. NLT

Matthew 26:41  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” NIV

Luke 21:34 But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. ESV

Ephesians 5:15-17  So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. NLT