True religion (not the denim kind)

As far as I know, my daughter has not read much of the Bible. She's only 8. She's heard stories at church, and I talk to her about truth when it applies to what life is throwing at her. We've had teachable moments before, where I've had a chance to tell her this, this and this.

And yet, it seems she knows things I haven't taught her.

It's weird, kids and faith. Their hearts are so pure at times, it's as if the things of God spring up naturally. Of course, there are plenty of other times where I think they are the most disobedient, selfish little beings on earth. But every so often, I'm amazed. Faith is obvious to them. Good deeds are not a stretch. To love is a given. Innocence sees truth with a clarity I no longer have. Age and experience and the pains of life seem to cloud it.

A few days ago, my daughter says, out of nowhere, "Mom, why don't we make Easter baskets for the widows on our street." My heart flashes this verse from James:

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
James 1:27

I wonder, "How does she know?" Is it because her "religion" is still pure and genuine, allowing her to love and show mercy as a reflex, rather than a decided gesture? As a parent, you can only say YES YES YES to these kinds of suggestions. I'll spend money, time, and energy in a heartbeat to support such endeavors, grand acts of kindness and charity thought up by a mere child.

Perhaps, I'm the mere adult. Perhaps hers is the stuff of real faith. Hers is the heart that understands how simple it is, why we are here in the first place.

To love.

Our home rests in our spot on our street for a reason. We happen to live between two widows. That's no accident. Today we delivered dyed eggs, chocolates, smiles and hope.

My son tried sheepishly to turn down a kiss on the cheek from the grandma who lives next door. He got one anyway.

Someone on your street might just need some chocolates and hope too. Easter provides a great opportunity to share the love of God with our neighbors. Little goodies in baskets from the Dollar Tree were all it took to make the idea a reality.

Wish I had thought of it myself.

{and lest you think my projects, my children, and I are all smiles and free spirits doing these kinds of things, tune in on Friday for the "behind the scenes" story. everything worth doing must be fought for, my friends.}