God reveals himself and his relationship to us in many ways: through his word and prayer, through his creation, through the marriage relationship and through the parent/child relationship.

It is the parent/child relationship that often speaks most clearly to me. I am reading Philip Yancey’s book “Prayer” and as I was mulling it over a couple of scenes came to mind. These scenes revealed how I often relate to God when it comes to prayer.

When my children were newborn, and for many months after, they were very cuddly. They wanted to be held and carried and loved, and I delighted in that closeness. But as they grew and were able to navigate the world on their own more and more they became less and less interested in cuddling/snuggling. They often squirmed out of my lap, eager to go.

Still, there were times when they were eager to be held again, this occurred most often when they were sick and running a fever. I was always sorry to see them sick, but very glad to be able to hold them close for long periods of time. Of course once the Tylenol kicked in and the fever receded they were off to the races again.

Do you see what I see?

Recently I needed to communicate with one of my daughters. We had an initial conversation, but it required follow up and that’s when the communication stopped. I couldn’t reach her. I left voice messages, I texted, I messaged her on facebook. Silence.

Another voicemail from me and then a text from her: So sorry I can’t do that this week. Very busy, lots on my plate. Love you.

It turns out she thought I was going to make her do something she didn’t want to do, so she was putting me off, hopeful that the opportunity would pass and it would be irrelevant.

What I really wanted was to talk to her. And when we finally talked we worked through the whole thing. Her postponing was futile, the opportunity was continual. But I was not so interested in making her do something as I was in hearing how she was doing and talking over the whole thing.

After we talked she felt much better, much better than she felt while she was avoiding me.

Do you see what I see?

God is our Father, and we are his children, do you recognize yourself in these scenarios?
I know I do.