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Who Does God's Kingdom Belong To?
September 1, 2008
Matthew 19:14
Six grandchildren with another on the way! I love it!! Now we all think our grandchildren are the cutest and brightest…but mine really are! Haha! My one year old granddaughter has been taught by her adoring daddy to raise her hands above her head and say “dada”. Following is a story that my daughter told me…
We were driving to church and Lucy was in her ‘chatty mood’. She started in with her “dada” chant. She would say “dada” and raise her arms up above her head. Bob stopped at a stop sign and turned to look at her. He just beamed from ear to ear. She continued on, no elaborate words just “dada”, no I love you, nothing fancy just lifted her hands and kept saying “dada”. He watched in the rearview mirror while he drove, just soaked it up and loved it.
The Holy Spirit said to me, “how often do you not praise me because you think it needs to be elaborate? You think it has to be this big, long, drawn out process of some ritual so that your praise will be worthy enough. All I want is for you, with a pure heart, to praise me and say “dada””.
Just like I watch Lucy’s every move for something cute or some sign of growth, marvel at it and am overjoyed by it, it is the same with Him. He watches us every day and is thrilled beyond measure when we show simple acts of love to Him. Thanking Him for our meals, our parking spot, etc. seems so mundane sometimes. Just because we are taking the time to say His name and acknowledge that He is the source of our blessings, He feels the same way we do when a baby chooses to put their arms out to us. We need to never forget to thank Him and just praise Him in the simple ways, telling Him we love Him. Galatians 4:6 says, And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba Father!
Consider keeping a ‘gratefulness’ journal for the month of September. Write a comment of thanksgiving every day to your “dada”!
Rhoda
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