The Impression

PresbyCan Daily Devotional

Mark 10:13-14 – People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (NIV)
My youngest grandchild was busy working on a craft while I was writing. Suddenly, she was standing at my elbow asking this question as she showed me her accomplishment: "Are you impressed with me, Grammy?"
I was indeed impressed with her work. I was even more pleased, however, by my impression of her open, honest little heart that allowed her to know that she could come and ask me such a question. As her words rattled about in my mind for the rest of the day, I was reminded that, as God's children, He wants us to be just as open and honest with Him. He wants us to know that whatever we ask Him or tell Him, it's okay, for He hears and understands everything about us. He knows when we need a bit of praise or encouragement. He understands when our thoughts don't line up with His. When we are open and honest with Him about them, He is then able to gently guide and transform those thoughts to become godly ones. When we sin and hope that no one ever finds out, He longs for us to come and openly share it with Him. He already knows all about it, yet His heart still longs to hear it directly from our heart to His.
What a wonderful God and Father He is to each and every one of us, a Father who yearns for intimacy with us, to have us come to Him about everything and anything! Nothing is too big or too small, too ugly or too dirty to lay before Him, even though He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
"Are you impressed with me, Grammy?" — an open and honest question from the mouth of a trusting and humble child. May we, too, this day and every day, strive to be just as open and honest, as trusting and humble children, with our God and Father. As we do so, we can also know that just as I was impressed with my grandchild's accomplishment and her childlike faith in me, He, too, will be impressed with our desire for intimacy with Him and will reward us accordingly.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for loving us with a love so high and deep and wide that there is nothing that we cannot talk to You about. Help us to remember that You desire and reward an open, honest, trusting, humble heart, the kind of heart that smooths the way to true intimacy with You. Bless us with such hearts now and forever. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.