“I Want To Give God Huggies!!”

My nieces pieces and I:)

I was talking to my mother this afternoon and I asked her how my nieces were doing.  She said they were doing well and she had the cutest story to share.  A while back, my mom bought the girls princess Bibles with a mirror on the front.  One night this week, my oldest niece, Amara was listening to her mother read one of the stories in the book.  Her mother asked, “Amara, what animals are in the ocean?”  After throwing out several answers, her mom said, “Do you know who made them??”  Amara said, “God?”  Her mom said, “He sure did.  Guess who else He made?”  Amara said, “Who?”  Then she turned to the front of the book where the mirror was and Amara saw her reflection.  Her face lit up and, in wonderment, she asked, “God made me??!!”  Her mom said, “Yes, honey.  God made you.”  Then Amara exclaimed, “I want to give God huggies!!!”  But when she was told that she couldn’t, literally, give God huggies, the tears began to flow.  Her parents told her that she had to show and tell God that she loves Him everyday…that could be her hug to Him. 

Can you imagine the smile that spread across God’s face at that moment?  The purity of that request moved me to tears.  What is it that happens between then and adulthood that dulls our ability to see God solely through the lens of appreciation for who He is? I often think about my nieces and how, having just started in life, their paths are so unblemished and their intentions are so pure.  They don’t have to worry about car payments, mortgages, or job security…they could care less about watching their figure…their heart has never been broken, etc.  None of these things are their concern. 

Meanwhile, what i wouldn’t do to escape this constant tsunami of thoughts and concerns approaching the shore of my mind.  I would absolutely love to completely forget about “what’s not” or “what’s next,” abandon every fear or concern and chill out for a minute. Given everything I’ve got going on mentally, I’d give anything to climb up in God’s lap and be loved on by Him.  Just as that thought crossed my mind, I heard God say, “What’s stopping you?  No matter how massive your answer to this question is, my hands are big and more than capable.”  He doesn’t want anything to stand between us and this type of moment.  Our love, adoration and focus = His delight.  (Whether age 4 or age 29).

Life lesson #5475854:  The passage of time doesn’t have to change how we relate to God.  Relinquish ownership of your concerns…Daddy’s got it.