Drive time to and from daycare has always been a special bonding moment for me and the kids. In those precious windows of time, we talk, laugh, and settle into a rhythm of worship. We usually play a few of our favorite gospel songs on Spotify, singing along with joy — or just quietly soaking in the atmosphere.

A few weeks ago, my daughter asked me to play a song — but I couldn’t make out what she was saying.

I asked her to repeat herself — again and again — but her tiny toddler words didn’t make sense. So I tried guessing. Was it one of our regulars? Way Maker? Goodness of God? Koseunti? Holy Spirit? She kept saying no, and before long, we both grew a little frustrated.

I eventually turned off the music and we just talked until we got home. But the next day, the same thing happened. And then again.

Then one day, I caught what sounded like “key verse.” Every week, we learn a key Bible verse — we don’t just memorize it, we sing it too. Could she be asking for that? My heart swelled with pride. Imagine — out of all the songs in the world, she wanted her key verse song?

I quickly played our weekly recording of the song at the next red light.

“No, Mommy. That’s not it.”

Hmm. Not the key verse song. Not one of our favorites. I was stumped.

One morning, I had an idea — I asked her to sing it for me.

She tried. But she’s two. She couldn’t recall the tune or the words. So I tried something else: I asked her to describe it. Still nothing.

In that moment of quiet frustration, I whispered a prayer: Holy Spirit, help me understand her request.

That’s when I heard her little voice say something that finally clicked: green kire.

Green kire? What in the world was that?

“Mommy, I want green kire.”

Then it hit me like a flash of lightning: she was asking for Dansaki by Lara George — a worship song in Yoruba language. She didn’t know the name or the language, but she had seen the green album art on my car screen every time the song played. To her, it was “green kire.”

I pulled it up on Spotify, played it — and her whole face lit up.

That was it.

She knew what she wanted. She just couldn’t describe it. And this entire experience left me deeply moved — not just because we finally solved the mystery, but because of what it taught me:

1. The Power of Intentional Listening

I had to really lean in, ask the right questions, and invite the Holy Spirit to guide me. It reminded me how often we need to slow down and truly listen — to our children, to one another, and to God.

2. God Understands Our Gibberish

Just as I struggled to interpret her toddler speak, I was reminded of how God lovingly listens to our groans and half-formed prayers. Even when we don’t have the words, He still understands us perfectly (Romans 8:26).

3. Children Are Deeply Spiritual

Out of all the songs she could’ve asked for, she wanted a Yoruba worship song. Even without knowing the words, something in her spirit was drawn to it. Our children absorb so much more than we realize when we create environments filled with faith and worship.

4. God Meets Us in the Mundane

This didn’t happen at church or during our devotion time. It was in the car, on an ordinary weekday. But that’s the beauty of God — He meets us in the car rides, mealtimes, and diaper changes. Every moment can become sacred if we let it.

5. Be Willing to Change Your Approach

I could’ve insisted on repeating my guesses or just ignored the request altogether. But the moment I got curious — and asked God for help — everything shifted. Parenting (and life) requires flexibility and a teachable spirit, relying on the Holy Spirit for help each step of the way.

6. Worship Is Beyond Language

She couldn’t sing it. She didn’t know what the lyrics meant. But she felt the song. She connected with the Spirit behind the words. Worship isn’t about performance or comprehension — it’s about the heart.

I think about “green kire” often now. Not just because we solved the riddle, but because it became a picture of something greater: the persistence of a child, the patience of a mother, and the gentleness of God helping us both find common ground.

So here’s to every parent navigating the sweet, sometimes confusing journey of early childhood. And here’s to every whispered prayer that feels like gibberish — may you know that Heaven hears it loud and clear.

Categories: My Christian Beliefs, My Devotionals

Tags: Christian, Devotional, Experiences, Faith, Intentional living, intentional parenting, Life lessons, Motherhood, Parenting, Self-Development