Learning More Than Teaching

I am so grateful to be Ava's mom. I love her more than I can begin to express. She has been a true blessing and I have learned a lot from her. Becoming a mom I thought I would be the teacher, the leader, and the example. A lot of the time I am, but Ava has also been my teacher, leader, and example.

The past several weeks Ava has helped me to humble myself and improve my prayers. We say prayers together as a family just before Ava goes to bed. First we sing the Primary song, I Pray in Faith, because it teaches the right way to pray. The first line in the song is, "I kneel to pray everyday". As we sing this song Ava usually tells us to kneel down which we all do to show love and respect for Heavenly Father. It is important to Ava that we kneel down to say our family prayers and that makes me happy. I feel like Rich and I are doing something right and Ava is learning to show reverence and love to Heavenly Father through prayer.

During our family prayers and through singing the Primary song I have learned more than I've taught. I say my prayers daily, individually and as a family. I am reverent and try to show gratitude and love through my conversation (prayer) with Heavenly Father. But I'm embarrassed to admit I do not always kneel when I pray. There are times of course when it is not necessary to kneel (at the dinner table), but I had gotten lazy during my individual prayers. At night I would often get snugly in my bed and then say my individual prayers. Sometimes I even fell asleep while praying. As we started teaching Ava about prayer through song and example something changed inside me. I recognized I was teaching something to Ava, but not doing it myself. I felted ashamed and realized I needed to change. The past week I have made an effort to say my individual prayers while kneeling and it feels great. I feel good because I know I am being a better example to Ava and I know I am showing greater love and reverence to Heavenly Father.

I am thankful for this lesson. I am thankful for the wonderful music in the Children's Songbook. The songs are wonderfully simple and teach the gospel principles. I am thankful for Ava's example to me and encouraging me to kneel each time we pray. She is a sweet little angel.

New Testament- Matthew 18:1-4

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

I Pray in Faith

1. I kneel to pray ev’ry day.
I speak to Heav’nly Father.
He hears and answers me
When I pray in faith.

2. I begin by saying “Dear Heavenly Father”;
I thank him for blessings he sends;
Then humbly I ask him for things that I need,
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.