"Jesus loves me this I know ...

... for the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves ..."

For years, when each of the children were young, I have sung this familiar song to them as part of our bedtime routine believing that getting a grasp of the love of Jesus revealed in the Bible is a foundational piece of developing a vibrant faith. And, when we get to the "Yes, Jesus loves me" part, I always fill in the children's names and occasionally pause so that they can fill in their own names, the names of their siblings, "Mama," "Daddy," etc.

So, last night, gaps in Katya's understanding were revealed as she and Piper went back and forth listing those whom Jesus loves.

"Yes, Jesus loves Katya"
"Yes, Jesus loves PIper"
"Yes, Jesus loves Cameron, Josiah, Adelyn, Grace, and Sara Maria"
"Yes, Jesus loves Mama and Papa"
"Yes, Jesus loves Tanner and Topsy"

Okay, but not in the same way that He loves you, Katya, and all of our family.

"Yes, Jesus loves bunnies and foxes"

Hmmm...Well, yes, but ...

"Yes, Jesus loves Bert"

Bert. Okay, so you need to know that on the airplane from Frankfurt to Washington, D.C., Katya did not sleep until we were beginning our descent. Not only did we watch several hours of Leapfrog Phonics Videos, but we also watched Up - twice. And then, since I was so charmed by the movie (even twice), I rented it for the all the kiddoes to watch a couple of nights ago while Bill and I had a "stay-home date." Then, since all the kids were completely taken with it as well, last night they watched it again, but this time with Bill alongside.

Now, for those of you have seen Up, you're wondering what Bert has to do with anything. Kevin is a female snipe who is "discovered" by Russell, the 8-year old wilderness explorer who ends up tagging along on Carl's, 78-year old widower, pursuit to live out the dream he once shared with his soulmate, Ellie. Carl is less than pleased with Kevin's arrival on the season and most often calls her "Bird." So, in the trials and trauma of Kevin's persistent devotion to Russell, Katya consistently expresses, quite emotively, her deep concern for "Bert."

So, tonight as Katya sang out ...

"Yes, Jesus loves Bert," Piper smiled, Katya smiled, and I smiled while I noted the gap and prayed for Katya to come to understand that God's love for her is so much greater than His love for foxes, bunnies, or an animated snipe.