and a child shall lead...

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

She pitter-patters across the hardwood floor into the kitchen where I work. Already, her request is on her lips; she grabs my arm and puts it on repeat, like a recording. "Peease, Peease, Peease..." I am not God. I don't want the interruption. I don't want to hear from her right now. I look at her, annoyed. She doesn't notice my irritation. She knows only that she has gained my attention.

Her face lights with anticipation. "Okay! Okay! Okay!"

Oh my. She is so certain of my answer. She actually believes I have a desire to grant her request for "petz" or "phfaces" or "ban-ban-a" or "dink."

She makes me wish I did have one. Her "prayer" compels me from my concentration to lavish something good on her, despite the interruption. Her excited gratitude that I have listened (even though she expected - no, coached - my happy response) knocks my spirit over.

I wonder, when was the last time I prayed with that faith in the goodness of God? Omnipotent God, who isn't annoyed by my prayer, omnipresent God, whose work isn't interrupted by anyone or anything, a God who is Love, who would not give His children a stone when they ask Him for bread. When have I prayed as this little child, certain I am praying His will for me?
The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.

Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.


- Ps. 42:8, 11
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This post also linked at Holy Experience for Walk With Him Wednesday.





(image from sxc)

8 comments:

Heidi said...

Wow, I never thought of kids asking their parents for stuff quite like that. Thank you.

Unknown said...

You bless with your learning and loving heart.
It is this that gets me.. and that when they are 14 or 16 or 20 they still say "Mom , look and guess what and do you think this will work out for me? Tell me and show me and love to belief.

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

Such a lovely voice you share here
all the while, pointing to a Loving God.

Grace and peace to you.

Cassandra Frear said...

Makes me think of how he loves us. And it's good.

Traci Michele said...

So true, beautiful words, I can too relate, to the "annoyance of interruption".

I'm so glad we have a Faithful Father who will never tire of us coming to Him.

God Bless you!

Traci

Deborah Ann said...

I love the way you make your daughter come to life in your posts, with her sweet little lisp and mannerisms! I love the way God brings us to life like that...

Carrie said...

Awww...this is a great post - I never thought of this analogy about our prayers before!

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

What a beautiful post....Sure gave me something to think about tonight....Hope you will stop by and visit my new Christmas blog.

The button on my regular blog will take you right to it....
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/

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