Yesterday my 5-year-old cozied up next to me on the couch and said, “I love the way you sound.” How cute is that? He had spent the day at his grandparents and I think he actually missed my voice. I can relate because I really love the way my kids sound too. Well. When they aren’t screaming, screeching, tantrum-ing…you understand. But their sweet, little voices. I love the way they say certain words. Like the word car is “caw”, and my youngest used to say man as “mee-oh”. So Superman was “Super-mee-o”. When I am away from my kids I even miss the sound of “Mom!”, just maybe not the 4,908 times a day.
Finding Time For God
This got me thinking about being God’s children and cozying up to Him. Do you ever miss His voice? Do you ever long to just be next to Him in His presence, especially after some time apart? I do. And I will be the first to admit that as a mom of young kids, my “cozying up” time is few and far between. It is hard to wake up EVEN earlier than your kids when you’re so exhausted. And then during nap time all you want to do is sit and relax, forgetting about opening your Bible or getting on your knees. Then there is the precious post-bedtime routine of pajamas on, teeth brushed, plopping on the couch, and falling asleep to some Netflix binge. Spending precious time with God often falls to the bottom of the list.
God Longs For Us
The thing is, God longs for us too. He isn’t pushy, or bossy, or loud about it. But He is our Father and longs for us to be in His presence just as we long to be in His. He wants us to cozy up with Him and tell Him our fears, desires, hardships, and victories. He is a good, good Father that wants to spend time with His children loving us, blessing us, wiping our tears, and hearing about our days.
“...what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4)
It is so important for us to carve out this time to be in His presence. Let’s start today. I am talking to you and me. Start with 10 minutes and see if we can increase from there. Notice how it changes your mood, patience, and overall tone of your day. And make it a habit to do it again. Just as our kids long for us when we’re apart and embrace us with a bear hug upon return, God waits quietly for us to return to Him and embrace us too.
You’re a good good father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
(Chris Tomlin, “Good Good Father“)