Like a: CHILD

            I remember when I was a little girl and my favorite spot to be was my dads lap. My dad had his own special chair in the living room that he sat in everyday, no one else. I can still picture the warm lamplight that would illuminate my dads grey eyes and endless wrinkles. My dad would prop one leg up on his knee, and as a little girl I would climb onto his lap and sit right in the middle where I fit perfectly. It didn’t matter what fun games, laughter, or chaos that were going on in the living room, I would not be distracted, I was in my dads arms telling him my own stories and hearing his stories.

Most mornings I would even wake up at the crack of dawn to make his orange juice for him to drink while he was at work. My mom would hug and kiss my dad goodbye, and so would I. I will never forget the smell of his coffee stained, orange juice smelling beard. My dad would choose one of my siblings to take on breakfast dates every Saturday; if I was the lucky child to get picked to go on this fun adventure then I was the happiest kid in the world! I loved being in my dad’s presence.

I also remember the times when it would be a long school day, and I would give my mom nothing but trouble. Instead of disciplining us herself, she would tell us “wait until dad gets home”. Disappointing my dad was always the worst. Seeing his grey eyes not so bright, but disappointed, changed my heart. Though, even after being restricted from watching TV, a few tears, maybe even a few jumps of temper tantrums, at the end of the day, I would still climb onto my dad’s lap and be so absolutely loved. The past was in the past, I was in my dad’s arms and that’s all that mattered.

Reflecting on these memories as an adult brings an instant smile to my face; I pray that I will never lose these memories. To compare and contrast my relationship with my dad on earth and with my Dad in Heaven, God, gives my heart a better comprehension of God’s father heart for me. It’s a beautiful blessing that our God calls us His sons and daughters, and loves to spend time with us. He has a special place on his lap for each one of us and adores listening to our endless stories, and He also adores to share His own.

This idea though, of a disappointed dad on earth is different from our Dad in Heaven. When we fall down, when we make mistakes, it’s his compassion and grace that is seen in His eyes. Me, being human distorts my vision to see God’s eyes. How can I understand a dad of complete and total grace?

His grace for His children is an overflow, a never-ending fountain of hope for each person who accepts God as their personal Dad. To be human means its difficult for us to comprehend the forgiveness and grace of our Dad, but even Jesus spoke about the beauty of being a humble child, and how necessary it is to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 18:3-4

“…I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Jesus, telling it like it is. We need to receive it, believe it and walk in it. I for one will make the choice to do so, to climb on my Father in Heaven’s lap and be wrapped in His presence.