I love to re-read some of the older devotionals God inspired me to write because it’s an encouraging reminder of how God works through our stories. Our Creator has planned an extraordinary journey for each of us and—we get to be part of the stories of others too. As we daily surrender to Him, He reveals the path before us. What fun it is to remember, and re-tell the stories!
The following devotional was inspired by one of my dearest friends, Laura Kriebs. Laura serves in the very, very tough role as guardian ad litem for over 600 children who are in foster care in the 25th Judicial Circuit. She is an extraordinarily strong and caring woman whose work has positively impacted the lives of thousands of children—including—her own two boys.
Laura’s life constantly inspires me now as it did several years ago…
Several years ago, right before the birthday of one of her sons, Laura told me that all he wanted for his birthday was “cherries and cuddles.” We both giggled at such a sweet request. As I was later thinking about his unreservedly childlike request, it inspired me to consider my relationship with God. Is my relationship with God so transparent and trusting that I know, without a doubt, that He really does care about—my silly, eternally insignificant—wishes? I know, without a doubt, Laura was thrilled to grant her son his request for “cherries and cuddles,” so—why would God think any less of me?
If parents DELIGHT to grant children’s small wishes, how much MORE does God DELIGHT to give us joy?
The fact that we struggle to believe that God really cares about—not just what we NEED but also about what we WANT—means WE need to adjust our thinking about GOD. After all, WE don’t surprise our kids with groceries or new socks for their birthday…do we? No—we greatly delight in breaking the bank for that completely impractical gift that we know will bring our kiddo immense joy! Jesus made this remarkable statement, which is a passage I frequently quote to myself because—I often need reminding of how much God delights to give me His goodness:
“What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
Matthew 7:9-11
Why is it so tough for me to remember that God desires to delight me with His gifts? Simple: I don’t know His heart like I should. Laura’s son was very comfortable asking her for “cherries and cuddles.” Why? Because—he knows his mama’s heart.
So how do I get to know God’s heart?
I must seek to know Him more—than I seek to know anything or anyone else. God already knows me better than my mother, father, or any other person does. So it’s obvious that the knowledge deficit in the relationship lies with me. If I want to know that God cares about my small wishes, then I need to be close enough to Him to be able to hear, see, and feel Him. The Psalmist wrote:
“O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah. For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.”
Psalms 21:1-3
The better we know the heart of God, the more we know how much He cares about the deep desires of our heart.
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