Why I {Strive To} Have Bible Time With My Toddlers Every Day

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. ~Psalm 1:3

"Mommy, one time we were at Grandma's house. And it was so much fun to play with her tractor."

"Mommy, do you remember when Daddy had poison ivy? It's all better now! Jesus made it better!" 

"Mommy, look! Jesus put water back into Grammi's stream! Just like we asked Him to! He came down, and then he went back up!"

After each of these quotes from my 3 year old, I just shook my head in amazement. So happy in her simple faith. So shocked at her memory. Some of these events happened almost a year ago!

As Moms, we all know that the toddler years are some of the most critical development years in a person's life. These little people are constantly gathering more information and data than we will probably ever even know. And if we are not purposeful about it, then the information and thought process that is cemented in their minds is going to be useless, at least in light of eternity.

But that is not what any of us want for our children. We are raising soldiers for Christ, and soldiers need to be able to dig deep and know what they stand for.

Just like the tree in Psalm 1. 

We need to fill our children's river {mind} with life-giving water. We need to give them what they need to dig deep and find nourishing strength in the Word of God. And it's never to early to start! It is not enough to tell a child how they should act. We need to be training their little hearts in "why" they should act. 

We need to teach them to delight in the word of the Lord, and to meditate on it day and night. And then when they are older, they will be that blessed person that "walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, not stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful."

I have not got this all down yet. I miss days of reading the Bible to my kids. Life as a Mommy to a 19 month old and a 3 year old is busy and hectic. But I am asking God to put it on my heart more and more. To make it a priority in my life, above laundry, dishes, sweeping and facebook. Yes, sadly, facebook. We Moms of today have a lot to fight against to stay on track with Jesus, and on track with being present for our kids and training their hearts all day long.

Right now my Bible time "strategy" looks like this:

Reading Psalm 23 to my kids every morning, singing a couple songs and praying. After a week and a half of reading the same passage almost every day, Jakki can quote parts of every verse with me as I read. I was amazed! Toddlers are so much smarter than we give them credit for.

​Playing Bible CDs to them at nap time and/or bedtime. My parents did this for us and I'm so glad they did! Not only does it help with memorization, but just hearing the same passages of scriptures, and hearing whole books of the Bible in one reading, instead of little verses here and there is so enriching.

Sometimes I need a little help in remembering to teach my kids from the Bible every day, and that's when this verse is so good in reminding me of the importance of it. It is after all, a command of God!

 I have it framed in my house, beside a collection of family pictures. It is a good verse to see every day, over and over again! {If you would like to buy a print click here and enter coupon WALLSOFHOME to get 40% off. } 

Blessings to you as you strive to train up your children to love Jesus!