I am your Child.

They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”

Luke 18:15-17 (WEB)

This weekend God continued to speak to me about children. He really wants me to understand our relationship: Father and child. Daddy and child.

We humans are very visual in our understanding and so when we think of the connection we have with our children we think that it occurs at the moment of birth. The moment we see the child. So much more goes in to that connection than what we see. Each child has a distinctive smell. Each has a distinctive way of moving. You could blindfold me and bring me 10 babies and by a sniff I could have identified my own. It has nothing to do with soap or talcum powder. It is their scent. From high in a stadium or the top row of a gym, I could distinguish my child from all the others in the same uniform by how they walked. How much more does the Father know me! He has known me since before He placed me in my mother’s womb. He created me and so has known me since He conceived me.

A child learns about his/her parent before learning that first word or taking the first step. “If I cry, she will come!” “If I cry, he will pick me up!” “They will make sure I am dry and give me the milk that I need.” “Oh, there is their face! I am so happy!” The first time your child smiles at you is – better than any birthday present!

Jesus wants me to understand that my relationship with the Father is just like that. All that I need comes from my Father. The Father responds to my every cry. His hand is on me to guard my every step, wanting to keep me from stumbling.

“But I asked for ____ and God did not answer me!”

Do you give your child every request they make? Do you always say “yes”? Does your child always understand they ‘why’ of your answer? Can you always make them understand?

Being a parent is loving your child enough to say “no”. It is loving your child even when they say, “You don’t understand me! I hate you!” It is always being available for that important talk. A talk that could bring that revelation of understanding and open the door to forgiveness.

God is the perfect parent. He disciplines but never in anger. He loves for all eternity and shows it in infinite ways. He holds with perfect comfort no matter how grown up I think I am. He lets go so I can take steps that strengthen my feeble limbs. He gave me Jesus, Himself in the flesh, so that I always follow and never have to go it alone.

Sometime today take time to read Psalm 139. Read it slowly like a child reads a favorite passage in their favorite book. Read it aloud. Feel your Father’s hand on you as He watches His child read His own words to Him. How wonderful is that!