Thank you for baby flamingos

We saw flamingos at the zoo this week, one of Cara's favorite animals (go figure) and they were nesting.  One had just had a baby, which we could just barely see peeking out from it's mother's wing.  It was incredibly cool.  A news crew was there filming it--you can see pictures here.

But then later, I got out-Jesus-ed by my 22 month old. 

 

I know, I know, it's not a competition.  Still, I thought I had a few more years.  

As a fun thing for the summer she's going to Mommy and Me gymnastics in the evening with Daddy.  I giggle every time Scott heads off to Mommy and Me gymnastics.  Scott had a meeting so we had a quick turn around to eat dinner and get them out the door on time.  Scott was running a bit late, so we started without him.  I got Cara set up with her plate and went to get mine and sat down.  I picked up my fork to start eating my salad when I hear her saying something.  Now, to those without trained ears, what she said sounds like "Dee Gah" but I knew what what it was.  It was what she says every night once everyone takes their place at the table for dinner: "Dear God."  I had sat down,  and even though we were rushed and even though it was just the two of us, sure enough I turned to her and her hand was out for me to hold so we could say grace.  I was about to start eating, but she reminded me we had forgotten grace.  

I, of course, took her hand, ready to pray, shaking my head in quiet amazement that so much God fits into such a small person.  So we started again Dear God...

In our prayers, Cara lists all the things she can possibly think of to thank God for.  She loves this.  I supply the phrase, "thank you for" and she fills it in.  Often her choices consist of what happens to be in her line of sight at the moment.  

So she said "Dee Gah," and we began our list of thankfulness.  Thank you for...and she said flamingoes (affectionately referred to as 'mingos').  And again, "thank you for"...and she adds "baby 'mingos."

Despite a rushed dinner and nearly forgotten grace, how quick she is to remember these greatest gifts of the day.  How easy it is for her to remember grace; both the gifts, and the act of naming it.  I would have never thought to remember to thank God for the baby flamingoes when I said my prayers tonight, and yet it was the awesomeness of creation on display for us today.  

How easy it is to forget grace, and I don't just mean the mealtime prayer.  How easy it is to forget to stop and list the ways that God's glory was on display in our day.  If only we could always be so eager to list our grace from the day, to name the moments where glory broke in to the ordinary, the discipline of remembering grace. 

I mentioned that we often thank God for whatever happens to be in front of us at the moment, and yet, I'm struck as I'm praying it how profound it often is.  Yes, God, thank you for water, something I totally take for granted.  Something millions of people don't have...  "Thank you for bed."  How often do we actually thank God for a safe place to sleep?  How easy it is to forget the gifts right in front of us, the moments from just hours before, the grace all around. 

So, thank you for baby flamingoes.  And for baby disciples, for they truly live in the realm of the kingdom of God in ways I can only aspire to.  

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Matt 19:14

                              Theirs indeed.