I picked up my son from Religious Education class (that sounds really formal but here are the other choices…CCD, YC, Sunday school (but not on a Sunday), RE, Catechism…you get the point…no one knows what we are even talking about anymore!)
He gets in the car and hands me this:
The question is “What is the most important thing you have learned about prayer in your life so far?” So I asked him what his answer is (we may need to work on sentence structure and punctuation) and he said, “It (prayer) is good to do to be friends with God.”
AMEN!!
FREAKIN’ AMEN PEOPLE!!
It was about 7:30 pm when this happened and all I could think was that I better get to bed quick on this MOUNTAINTOP MOMENT OF MOTHERHOOD so we can call the day a major success! Let’s not tempt fate…in fact, I came home and announced I was going to bed, rushing past my other two children who let’s be honest, at this point seemed like heathens compared to my son…no sense in risking a major turn around…who knows, there could be fighting, doubting, shouting, sassing, demanding…we have tomorrow for that. This night was about my little guy and his KNOWING that prayer is the pathway to friendship with God.
I shouldn’t be surprised. Kids know it. Kids feel Him everywhere. Kids sense that friendship with God is there for the taking…freely offered…open hands…open hearts…stunning love in its purest form. They get it.
When is it exactly that we stop “getting this” as adults?
We make it so difficult.
I read this today and wept.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28 (The Message)
That’s the invitation. He offers Freedom. Rest. Grace. Friendship.
What do you say? Are you in?
It’s good to be friends with God.
©2013 Sue Bidstrup, Great Big Yes™ All Rights Reserved
So true that when we are kids, our hearts are so open to Him. Such a cute post, too.
Reminds me of when one of my eight-year-old daughters said (after YC class), “Mom I love you second best in the whole world!” – Of course I’m thinking, second – who am I second to? So I asked. The answer, “Well, I love God the most, and you second.” A Great Big YES to that!!
You made me laugh, Sue! I am in!
I’ll meet you in the bedroom to celebrate!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! First, because you made me laugh so early in the morning. But mostly because it’s all about a friendship. We must be like little children. I’m all in!
Amen