A Walk with Nova

This afternoon I went for a stroll with my granddaughter, Nova.

As we were walking, I was thinking about the predictable pattern of our relationship. Every time I see her, even while she is living in my house – and I may see her more than once a day – I do more or less the same things, in the same order.

When I first see her, I smile. Then, I move towards her in love. Next, I demonstrate my affection for her with a hug or a kiss or most likely a lot of both of them as I sit her in my lap! I see myself as squeezing as much love into her little body as she can contain. 

After that we talk, she babbles something I don’t understand and I speak to her identity, “Hello beautiful! How are you today?” “Hi princess! I love you.” If she’s with me for a little while, we play games or read books, and I try to teach her a few new words and speak blessings over her.

Why am I telling you all this? Because, I’d like to suggest that this is actually the same way our Father relates to us, whenever we draw near to Him.

The first thing He does is smile. Then, He moves towards us in love. Next, He demonstrates His affection for us with a gentle hand on the head or an arm around our shoulders, or even picking us up and sitting us in His lap. 

However He shows it, He is squeezing as much love into us as we can handle. After that, we say a few things which are largely incoherent nonsense and then He speaks to our identity as His son or daughter. And, if we stick around for a little while, we might read together with Him and He gently teaches us a few things and He always blesses us.

There is no striving in this place, not for Nova with me, not for us with our Father. 

Pete Scheller is the pastor of Destiny Christian Fellowship in Madison WI. He and his wife, Alison, lead conferences focused on the heart of the Father, the Mind of the Son, and the Power of the Spirit.

www.heartmindspirit.us
Schellerpete@gmail.com