Sunday, February 10, 2013

God is in the Closet

Jonathan leaned over and whispered to me during worship at church, "God is here." he said.
  Now this 4 year old  was a wiggle worm during most of the service, climbing under seats dancing with his Mommy, being his usual  boyish self.

But Jonathan has been experimenting with where God is lately.  He came marching out of his room one day last month and said in an unbelieving way,
"Bobby (mommy), Dor-tea says God is in my closet, but God is not in my closet!"
and he laughed at her silliness.  I explained that God is everywhere, and anywhere he might go, that he never needs to be lonely.  "In my bed?" He said with a big smile.  "Yes" I said, "even in your bed, even in your closet".   He shook his head at me like I was too silly for words.

 Now Jonathan, our sweet second child does not like to be alone.  Even if you offer him his favorite snack he will think hard about if it's worth it if he has to eat it alone in the kitchen.  He also gets scared of ghosts, and Max (from Where the Wild things are) when he is alone. "Max is in the ceiling and tried to bite my hand!"  His sister shares a room with him so he's really not alone that often.


Dorathea was reading in the guest room last week when Jonathan walked in the room.  She told him to go into our room.  Like me she relishes the occasional moment to herself.  He must have said he didn't want to because he didn't want to be alone, so she told him that God would be in there.  Ted found him talking away to God in there a few minutes later.


Can I tell you how encouraging it is to see a child begin a relationship with God?  In the midst of the dark winter, and a week where we seem to be too snappy and unforgiving over here,  it's like seeing a little seedling pop up.  Spring is coming, hope is real, I am never alone, and I don't have to worry about Max biting my hand.  GOD IS HERE