I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. The scriptures really don’t give much detail at all about Jesus’ life growing up with His siblings and friends, but we do know He had a typical childhood. He had to learn how to walk, talk, & be potty-trained just like the rest of us humans. After all, He is fully God but also fully man. So, I guess maybe I’m wondering if the typical child 2000 years ago in Jewish culture liked potty humor? Let me explain where I’m going with this…
I think most kids today, especially boys, really enjoy potty humor. I hear about it from other parents of young ones, read about it online & in email newsletters, etc. Most boys go through it around 3 or 4, so I read, but my little one has really enjoyed it all along. His first word at 6 months old was not Mama or Dada, but “poo”. At the end of singing his ABCs, he says, “…next time won’t you sing with poopie?!” He loves the reaction & the attention. He thinks it’s hilarious & I have to admit, sometimes the silly potty-related things he says are pretty funny. Maybe I’m immature, or maybe just light-hearted; let’s assume the latter. 
However, I was conflicted when he first began saying his “poopie” prayers.
Each night we try to wind down (which takes quite a while!) by putting on pjs, brushing teeth, reading a couple books, & then sometimes a verbally-told story as well. We finish up with our good night prayer. Some of you may know it: Now I lay me / Down to sleep / I pray the Lord / My soul to keep / Keep me safe / All through the night / & guide me ’til / The morning light. We then add additional prayers for healing for various people, the poor, the church, ourselves, some thanks, & close with “In Jesus’ name, I love you, Amen”. John repeats after me line by line. He’s gotten some of it memorized by now & if I say something in a different order he’ll correct me (as if it were wrong) or if I forget something or someone he reminds me. Sometimes he’ll even add something! But, several months ago when he repeated each line, he began adding the word “poopie” into it! So it instead sounds more like: Now I poopie lay me / Down to poopie sleep / I pray the poopie Lord / My soul to poopie keep, etc. My husband & I couldn’t believe when he first did it; he didn’t miss a line! I was shocked & didn’t know what to do. My husband laughed hysterically until he couldn’t breathe (maybe it’s a guy-thing?). This has gone on every night ever since!
I told a few other young adults & was told I should stop him from saying it. He needs to understand a respect & healthy fear of the Lord. Prayers are powerful & shouldn’t be taken too lightly. Others, like my parents, laughed & said something along the lines of, “what a kid”. At first I was torn! What do I do?! Let my child be goofy during prayers or insist that he needs to say them the proper way? (Actually, is there a proper way?)
Well, I’ve so far decided to let it be. He’s 2. If I insist he not use the word “poopie” during prayers, he may just use it all the more (with his personality & twinkle in his eye I’m almost positive that would happen!). & I wondered, what would Jesus have said, while He physically walked the earth, if one of the children who came to Him said something similar? The Jesus I think I know, would laugh right along. I can almost imagine Him giggling & shaking His head, just happy that John is having fun while saying prayers & learning how to speak with his God. Here’s what Jesus said, as written in Mark 10: 13-16 (NIV):
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.
Therefore, I decided to continue leading him in the prayer my way (i.e.: I don’t say “poopie”), but let John respond how he wants. So, prayers are still poopie for now.
Think about the young kids you know & how they approach God. They don’t go before him worrying about paying bills or getting a better job. They don’t have issues, judgments, or bitterness about their past, their present, or their perceived pessimistic future. They don’t pretend to be someone they’re not. What do they do? They simply run up to Him, jump into His arms & get comfy, ready to listen to a great story told by a strong, gentle voice. They’re silly & they just act how they feel & say what they’re thinking. They’re real. Maybe we should all begin approaching Jesus with such realness?
What do you think? How would you respond? Any similar stories to share?