As a parent, one must always be ready for the teachable moments. They can arise at the most unexpected times, and usually do.

Take this morning, for instance. As Jeremy sat on the potty, he began talking to me about nails.

J: Do people put nails in their legs (he is poking his leg as he talks) and then do they die? (with huge emphasis on the word die accompanied by a scrunched up face)

Mom: (silent, perplexed look, trying to figure out where this is coming from)

J: (sensing the lack of understanding) Did the nails go into Jesus’ legs and then did He die?

M: The soldiers nailed Jesus’ hands and feet to the cross and then He died. Then God made Him alive again, and now Jesus lives in heaven.

J: Does He see me?

M: He sure does, and when you obey Mom and Dad, He is pleased (a shameless plea for obedience)

J: Does He see downstairs?

M: Yes, He sees downstairs…He sees the whole world all the time!

J: Is He going to play with my toys? (Jeremy goes on to answer his own question) No, because He doesn’t want to make a mess and then clean it up.

Deuteronomy 6: “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (…even when your children are sitting on the potty :))