With Child-Like Delight

I had the great joy of observing a toddler recently. The whole scenario brought to mind what our childlike relationship with God should be like. I share it with you, punctuated with scripture verses to ponder.

I watched as this precious little guy stood motionless and mesmerized by the whimsical jingle of an approaching ice cream truck. His little feet were planted firmly and his sturdy little legs didn’t move a muscle for several minutes, so enthralled was he by the music it seemed. I truly wondered what held him in place for so long. (I would have taken off running.)

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

When he finally joined other kids and accompanying adults on their way to the truck I lost sight of him. When he came into my view again amidst a crowd of active treat-seekers milling and crowding the single service window of the truck I noticed him again, stock-still, his little neck craned back at a painful looking angle, his head moving left and right, then left again to gaze at the colorful pictures of frozen delights splashed all over the side of the truck.

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

He didn’t push forward or look to his caregiver for help or guidance or assurance. His sole purpose appeared to be to take in the totality all the pleasures that this four-wheeled wonder held. When it appeared he had made his choice, he still did not move forward, but instead he sought the face of the truck attendant and just stared at her, as if by merely gazing at her he could capture her attention.

Psalm 27:8
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.

And capture it he did! Their eyes locked. Her smile was nearly as captivating as his was. No words were spoken. It was as if in that moment only those two people were in existence; the giver and the receiver. The little guy just pointed to the picture of his choice and licked his little lips. She craned around the truck window to follow the direction of his finger, then looking back at him she too pointed to his selection and they both just nodded at each other.

Psalm 21:2

You have given him his heart’s desire, and You have not withheld the request of his lips.

As she retreated to get his chosen pleasure he slowly stepped forward, reaching up with both hands. She returned and gently placed it into his outstretched little mitts.

Psalm 16:11

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

I lost sight of him again in the array of others and disappointedly glanced away. When next I saw him he was happily sauntering back with his family, decorated well by the melting drips of ice cream, all down his chin, and neck and belly.

Psalm 133:2

It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.

May we delight in our God as a little child delights in what he longs for.

Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.

Gratefully HIS,

Jan