Big & Riley Photo by Emilee Danielson
We can sometimes see the relationship we have with God reflected in the relationships we have with others. We can often draw parallels of our earthly father to our heavenly father. Or similarities of our spousal relationship to our relationship with Christ. But there is something extraordinary when we can pull those illustrations from our relationships with our grandchildren.
This past December, we had the tremendous privilege of spending Christmas in England with our two granddaughters, ages 3 and 2 respectively. As our daughter prepared ahead of time for our extended stay and the traditional Christmas festivities, she loaded her pantry with an ample supply of goodies. None of which went unnoticed by the two toddlers. Discovering a box of shortbread cookies, which has become a special tradition in the Danielson home, the older granddaughter, Riley, petitioned her mom for a taste.
Now before I continue, it is important for you to know that our granddaughters, for whatever reason, call their Grandpa “Big”. We don’t really know the reason for this as he stands 5’7”, but that’s possibly an illustration for another time, I digress. Upon arriving, our daughter described the amusing exchange between her and Riley like this:
Riley: Holding out the box of cookies, “Mommy, can I have one of these?”
Mom: “No, I’m sorry. Those are for Christmas. They’re Big’s favorite so we’re going to save them until Big & Grandma get here.”
Riley: Thinking for a moment responds, “I’m pretty sure he would want me to have one.”
Not only was this 3 year old sure, she was absolutely right. Had Big been any part of that conversation, he would have given her the cookies and told her mother to go buy another box for Christmas. It may not be the most reasonable or rational response, but he would have done it for his Riley Pie. She may only be three, but she already has a very real and very accurate sense that her Big would give her the world if she asked for it.
Faith like a child. It’s a real thing. How sure are you that, even if you don’t get the cookie, God loves you and desires only good for you. How sure are you of the love God has lavished on us? We certainly don’t deserve it so some might consider it unreasonable and a little irrational on God’s part. But when it comes to a confident, abiding, loving relationship with our heavenly father, can you say with such assuredness, “I’m pretty sure He would want me to have one.”
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1