Out of the mouths of children and babes

Kari, at four and a half and one of our twins, is not much of a television watcher. She would much rather be with people than stare at a facsimile. Last night we unwittingly painted a picture of God’s love. She was tired and cold, and I was ensconced on the couch after a trying week. Perhaps because of my own need for touch and closeness, I invited her to join me on the couch to lay on my chest. She immediately took advantage of the offer and snuggled into my chest. Our combined body heat soon brought us both a comfortable warmth. Again, perhaps out of my own need for closeness that runs unabated through me, I began to caress her head and run my fingers through her hair. It is something I know she enjoys, and is brought to a place of peace by the sensation. In that, she takes after her daddy. I love touch, and am blessed by something so simple, to the extent that when I touch or caress, I don’t focus on what I’m doing; rather, I focus on my fingers and the feeling I’m receiving as I’m converging on another’s contentment. She felt the closeness and love, as well. Here, this little four year old, without prodding, without hearing it first, turned her head to the side and said, sweetly, “I love you sooo much.” It was an unadorned statement of fact. It was what resident in her heart, what had been there already. What was in her heart poured out of her mouth and bathed my heart in an innocence and devotion I have rarely felt. That is the love I pray my Father feels from me.

Kari spoke her heart without thought of what it would give her; she gave of her heart, simply because she wanted to, simply because she understood what was true in her inmost self and wanted to express it. That is the relationship I want to have with my Father; I know that He is capable of all things and that, through Him, all things are possible; but that is not what I want my focus to be. I want to focus on my love for Him, and I want to love Him because He loves me and enjoys my company. If He chooses to pour down blessing upon me, then more's the better; but I will not, I cannot, judge His love for me, nor do I want Him to judge my love for Him, but what we give each other. It is the desire to be near, to touch, to share. I want to be known by Him by my love. As He caresses my head as I lay on His chest, I want Him to be blessed by my statement of love, unbidden and without thought of return but for His love.