Product reviews, parenting articles, and advice for first-time moms from the experiences of real-life mommies.

My kids have a play doctor set with the play stethoscope, thermometer, syringe and the rest. Since Kate went to the doctor for an ear infection a few days ago, it’s all been out again. They’ve been having a great time taking turns putting on the stethoscope and then listening to each other’s chests.

This morning, Kate took to putting the stethoscope on Ethan’s ears, then putting it up to her chest and saying, “Do you hear my heart?” Then they would trade and Ethan would say, “Do you hear my heart?” It really was too cute to see them going back and forth.

But, then Kate added the next level. She asked Ethan, “Do you hear my heart? Do you hear God??”

I did a double take and asked, “What did you just say?”

She did a little sheepish grin and then said, “I asked him if he heard my heart.”

“No, the other part, sweetie.”

“Oh,” giggle, “I asked him if he heard God. You know cuz he’s in my heart.”

Oh, be still MY beating heart. If only we ‘grown-ups’ could get the simplicity of a child’s ability to understand the God inside of us all.

I think the next time I’m going through something difficult where I’m really needing to hear God, I may just have to get out the play stethoscope and put it to my own chest. “Hello, God? Are you there? Can you hear me now? Cuz I really want to hear YOU.” Maybe if I actually listen, I’ll be able to hear my heart and thusly, His.