“Bless this food on our bodies”
It’s so precious to hear kids pray! For the most part they come to the Lord with innocence and genuineness that is so refreshing. They haven’t learned some of that “Christian-ese” like we “more mature believers” have mastered. Ugh!
But kids … they have heard our “more mature prayers” and often times attempt to model them … with their own innocent flare, of course! Recently I’ve noticed Kinsley adds the cutest “twist” to her prayer before a meal … often times you might hear someone (a “more mature believer”) say something like, “bless this food to our bodies,” or “bless this food to strengthen our bodies,” or “bless this food that we may glorify You with our bodies.” But Kinsley has been praying something that’s so precious (and probably way more appropriate!) The last few times I’ve heard her pray before a meal, I hear her say, “Bless this food on our bodies.” At first I thought maybe she just mixed up a preposition or something. But a couple of days later I heard the same thing. Nope … she was intending to pray that God bless this food on our bodies!
Now, being a nearly-middle-aged woman, I wanted to shout, “Amen … and pass the deep fried cheese curds … and may He bless those as they are sure to land right on the midsection of my body! Oh, and let’s not forget the soda and In-and-Out Double Double … bless that as it lands on my right and left thigh … and save room for the ice cream … may God bless it as it ends up on the back of what once could be called a tricep.” Eating has suddenly become way more spiritual as I consider the items on my plate and how God might bless them on my body!
I love that Kinsley prays this way … I love the idea. I love that when you look at things from a child’s eyes, you see them in totally new ways. I love that I would enjoy those great treats and incredible meals more if I truly believed and prayed this way. “Bless it on my body, Lord, cause you know that’s where it’s ending up anyway!” I follow this innocent prayer by asking that God always let Kinsley see herself as God sees her … a beautiful daughter of the King … regardless of where those chips might end up!