A Cup of Cold Water

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Welcome to July!

Every summer, I forget how hot July through September is here in northeast Mississippi. But as I am days away from starting my third trimester of pregnancy while chasing an outdoor-loving toddler, the Lord has reminded me that it is, in fact, intensely warm outside.

In this heat, we have been trying to stay cool and hydrated to the best of our abilities. Meanwhile, my son has grown irritated with me more than a time or two for offering him a drink of water or Pedialyte from his beloved sippy cup. After all, the dangers of dehydration – especially in toddlers and infants – are enough to scare anyone.

Thankfully, a few days ago, I caught him carrying his cup around the house, happily drinking water on his own.

As I watched him, I saw him enter our living room and sit in front of his many cars and toys that he had lined up so neatly. Then he took his little cup and put it up to the mouths of each of his toys, making sure that they, too, were beating the heat of this Mississippi summer.

At first, I giggled, but I quickly realized he was taking care of his toys because of how his mom and dad had taken care of him. In his little 20-month-old mind, he saw this as a way to share and show love to some of his favorite characters.

This reminded me that children, even the smallest among them, are watching what we do and how we care for them daily.

A Very Well Mind article explains that, "Also so known as shaping, modeling, and vicarious reinforcement, observational learning is most common in childhood and crucial for socialization. Children learn behaviors by observing their parents or caregivers interact with others.”

This article also said that “Children often imitate the actions of adults, especially if they see a positive result.”

Although this is a simple concept, this instance served as an important parenting reminder.

Our children are watching us.

The bigger question is this: To what and to whom are we pointing them each day?

Do our children pick up moments of prayer as much as they do our rushing to get tasks done?

Do they see the excitement and joy in our eyes when we get to spend quality time with them, or are they looking for a device-filled distraction?

Do they know that when we say “amen” after a prayer, we are talking to God of the universe, or does it only register as a green flag to start eating?

Even if some of these concepts become easier to understand as they grow into their later childhood years, they are still watching and learning from everything we do.

Perhaps it is a fresh reminder that, as parents, we should not only do all for the glory of God, but also notice that we are held accountable in the eyes of little ones.

In Matthew 10:40-42, Jesus explains:

He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. (Emphasis added.)

Before becoming a parent, I used to think this verse applied only to missionaries and those serving their communities. While I believe it can also be applied in those scenarios, parenting insight can also be gleaned from this passage.

Our children learn from our behaviors and actions, but they will also share what they learn with those around them. It is crucial that in everything we do, we point them to their Heavenly Father. By doing so, we can give them the greatest gift of all, the hope of heaven and the foundation for a lasting relationship with Him.

When we serve them, we are serving Him – even if it is a cup of cold water in the hot summer heat.

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