What was your favorite childhood toy?
Submitted by A Pretty:Simple Life.
I had a white stuffed kitten. I slept with that kitten every night. I took it wherever I went, even to friends' houses. It got tattered and flimsy, but I loved it. Then, one day, my dad's hunting dog got loose in the house and shredded my tattered, flimsy, stuffed kitten. While I love animals, I really hated that dog that day. I remember crying and yelling at him. I think it took my mom and dad hours to calm me down!
Children often have a favorite toy to which they cling. Whatever it is - a blanket, stuffed animal, or some other thing - it helps them get through scary times, unsure times, dark times, and helps them to celebrate good times. A childhood toy holds secrets that no one will ever know, a best friend who will never, ever retell those secrets.
In a way, those childhood toys help children learn about God and prayer. Like those comforting toys, God helps children - and adults - get through scary times, unsure times, dark times, difficult times. God gives children reasons to celebrate. And God never, ever retells secret confidences mentioned in prayer.
So parents, don't try to take away those well-loved toys and things from your children too early. Humans need something physical to grasp onto that represents and reminds them that God is with them always.
