God Speaking

“How great is the love that the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

(1 John 3: 1)

Just recently I spent a delightful afternoon with my granddaughter and her dear little son, my great grandson. He is nearly two years old and as I watched him, now walking, speaking a few words, filled with curiosity, and wanting to explore my whole apartment, I marveled at the miracle of God creating this little one. The time with him brought me great joy and I thought again of the great wisdom written thousands of years ago, but still true today in the book of Proverbs. 

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” (Proverbs 17: 6)

When it was time for them to leave, my great grandson gave me a great big hug. My joy was complete. 

What an incredible honor to be called children of God. God takes great joy in being with us, he watches over us like a loving parent, delights in us as we grow in more and more knowledge of him and is thrilled when we imitate his loving ways to others, guards from any danger, but most of all, just like the hug from my little one, rejoices when we show our love for him.  

So how do we show our love for him? Spending time with him is a great joy for him and we can do this through prayer not just spending the time asking for what we want but telling him how much we love him and praising him for his lavish love. 

Jesus made children a special place in his life, making sure the disciples did not stop them from being blessed by him, He also takes a child to come and stand with him and says these special words. 

“He called a little child and had him stand among them and he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18: 2 – 3)

We need to be humble like a little child. Not assuming we have it all together and don’t need any help, but to rely on the Heavenly Father to guide us, direct us keep us on the path of truth and righteousness, not be too proud, but to ask for help. Just as children need to follow the parent without running ahead to perhaps dangerous paths, so do we.

One of my favorite songs we sing at my church has this beautiful chorus. 

I am a child of God

So when life feels overwhelming we can whisper this with confidence

I am a child of God