Conversation with a Four-Year Old

On the way home from church one Sunday some years ago, I was driving while two of our grandchildren were in the back seat chattering way. Our little four-year old granddaughter proceeded to delve into some deep discussion with her "Nana", giving me a basis for deep consideration in the Word of God! "Out of the mouth of babes . . .!"

Nana: What did you learn in Sunday School this morning?

Child: We learned about Jesus!

Nana: What did you learn about Jesus?

Child: Him lives in my heart!

Nana: How wonderful! Does He live in my heart, too?

Child: Yea, and in bubby's and mommy's and Papa's, too! Nana, where are we going? I'm hungry!

Nana: We're going home and make something to eat.

Child: I don't want anything to eat!

Nana: I thought you were hungry.

Child: I want some candy.

Nana: No, honey, not until after we eat our dinner.

Child: I don't want to eat, I want some candy . . . how Him get in my heart anyway?

Nana: What?

Child: How Him get in my heart? Did I eat Him?

And so this stimulating dialogue went on until we arrived home. The conversation was interesting . . . this child acknowledged Jesus was in hers heart, she stated that she was hungry, but didn't want to "eat", but wanted something sweet like candy. Doesn't this sound like some people we know, too?

Many of us find ourselves wanting only "candy" when it comes to our faith. We want the "sweetness" and "goodness" of God, but we don't want to discipline ourselves to partake of the life-giving Word of God.

To be honest, if we spend too much time seeking after the blessings of God gives rather than submitting to the nourishment found through self-discipline in our relationship with Him, we may soon find ourselves asking along with our granddaughter, "How Him get in my heart anyway?"

How about you . . . have you learned the simple lesson that we must devour the Word, hunger after Him, thirst after righteousness? Or, are you still as this little four-year old who insists that she's hungry but doesn't want to eat except to accept the sweet things she knows are delicious and desirable.

Take some time today to examine your life and especially your habits and methods of seeking Him first and hungering and thirsting after His righteousness. If you are feeding on His Word, you'll never have to question "how Him get in my heart anyway?" You'll KNOW He's there because His Word has been established in your heart.

"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." (Mark 10:15)

Father, so many times we see the simplicity of a child's faith yet fail to recognize the lessons they teach us by their unquestioning acceptance of truth! Lord, help me to hunger after You even more . . . help me to discipline my life to spend the time with You, devouring Your Word, applying it to my life, seeking Your righteousness, and submitting to Your instruction. I love You, Lord, and I pray that my heart would be consumed with desire for You alone . . . not what You can give me but just You. Amen.

© Jan Ross
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