Jesus Loves Me

Daily rhythms. That sounds a lot more eloquent than they often feel. The daily routines that usher us from one moment to the next, and give us space for productivity and presence. Moments that aren’t all that glamorous or even at times fun - and yet, necessary. Kids thrive with routines, there are clear expectations and a feeling of safety in knowing their needs will be met. 

From the beginning of becoming a parent, bedtime routines have been high on the list. Sleep is something we all need to function. Our routine is simple: put pajamas on, read books, sing songs, hugs, pray and lights out. I hope Jed doesn’t get tired of reading books ever. It is one of my favorite things to watch him take in stories, be curious and even recite favorite lines. Lately, another part of the routine has blessed me. My son has started to sing along with me. It’s become a medley of hymns, and made up songs about dump trucks, dinosaurs and tractors. Yet, my favorite one he sings with me is Jesus Loves Me. It’s a truth I want him to know deeply. Hearing his sweet little voice recite the words is a sound I hope is permanently imprinted in my brain. I don’t want to lose it. 

Recently we had a disruption to our normal daily routine, because Jed had a cracked tooth. We made our way to the dentist, and my baby boy bravely sat in the chair and let them do X-rays and examine his tooth. It was ultimately concluded that the tooth needed to come out. Thankfully it’s a baby tooth, and in some odd years (melting) the adult tooth will come in. We proceeded to enter a different room where they would do the procedure. I was trying my best to encourage, and let’s be honest distract him from what was about to happen. 

When the moment came for them to yank his tooth, he squeezed my hand and said, “Sing a song mama”. 

Tears rolled down my face. 

I sang Jesus Loves Me, and he hummed as the doctor continued to work in his mouth. I attempting to comfort him, while receiving the sweet gift of comfort in the words and knowing my two year old son knew what we both needed. 

The moment came and went. I’m hoping my memory of the incident is more vivid than it will ever be for him. 

He’s my baby boy. He looks a lot less baby with a now too soon gap. I wept over the baby tooth that was yanked from his mouth too soon. I intentionally pushed back the parts of me that wanted to downplay that as “silly or ridiculous” - it served as a reminder of how fast time goes (and is going). I also had to quiet the voice that said I failed, or was less than a mom. He’s an active toddler, and there’s nothing I could have done to prevent it - I got to do what was necessary to help him. 

This will one day be a memory. Something I share with Jed, family or friends - I am sure it will evoke some emotion. I was recently with a good friend when a Taylor Swift song came on, that I knew her girls loved and sang when they were little. Both now not so little. I left space for the tears, and she named what she was feeling in that moment. The both/and, the joy of the memory, and the grief that that season is over. Now a season with its own struggles, and a deep desire to go back to purses, singing in the kitchen and “little people problems”. We walk through each day creating and recalling memories. Some we may want to forget, and others we cling to desperate to never lose them. In the midst of them is a Father who knows just what we need to hear and remember. 

I wonder what Truth you need to hear today. As you maneuver through your daily rhythms, I hope you don’t overlook the kid book you have read 100 times, or the sweet song your baby (young or old) asks you to sing - they just may have something you need to hear and be reminded of. 

Most of all, I hope you know Jesus loves you.