A Six-Year-Old Solomon

Lindsay Schlegel reflects on the trust and confidence her daughter showed in planning a special day.

My daughter, who is about to turn seven, gave me a great gift when we were discussing her birthday the other day.

She knew what she wanted for dinner (barbecue shrimp). She knew what kind of party plates she wanted (princesses, especially Ariel [my favorite], Belle [her favorite], and Rapunzel [a mutual second favorite]).

When I asked her what she wanted for a gift, she shrugged, and said, “You can pick something for me, Mom. You always find something good.”

The confidence and ease with which she said this stunned me. Keep in mind, we were about to celebrate her younger brother’s birthday, so there had been much talk of celebration and treats in our house. There was plenty of room for her wheels to be turning about what she’d ask for when her time came.

girl blowing out birthday candles on a cake

But instead of asking for something of her imagination, she trusted me to choose something for her. She believes I will provide for her, that I know her. That I will carefully think about who she is, what she likes, what will make her happy, and what will help her grow.

I had to ask myself, do I have that kind of faith in my heavenly Father?

Time and again, Scripture shows us how God gives us, His children, exactly what we need, when we need it, in order to grow closer to Him and to ultimately, God willing, spend eternity with Him. But still, how often I, for one, forget. How often I need to be shown again.

In the past few months, which have been challenging in a host of ways, it’s true that I have seen God providing for me again and again. Schedules shift to make tricky comings and goings work out. Cancelled events make way for different connections and much-needed rest. Missed opportunities are revealed to be tremendous, albeit quiet blessings.

I still need to be shown this time and again. I still need to be reminded. But my little girl? This trust is as natural to her as her next breath.

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How have your children shown you the Father’s love, mercy, healing, or peace? #catholicmom

I told my pastor about this conversation recently, and he told me he’s noticed a change in her since she received her First Holy Communion this past Christmas Eve (which is a story of God’s providence for another day). Of course, I thought. Of course her childlike faith is even stronger for her communion with Him. May she never neglect these graces, never take them for granted or reject the beauty of the gift.

Thank God for the gift of parenthood to help me draw closer to God as my Father and for the blessing of my children to help show me the way.

Take a moment to comment: How have your children shown you the Father’s love, mercy, healing, or peace?

birthday girl