With great expectation he asked and believed that his mother was listening. When we arrived at his birthday party, he enthusiastically pointed out one package and told me he knew what it was. “How?” I asked him.  His response was simple…“Because I showed my mom what I wanted and it was this shape!”

His words continued to ruminate in my spirit throughout the next day. I couldn’t determine if I was taken by the depth of his trust, or by his confidence in his parent, or by his ability to look for/spot the gift he had requested.  Either way, I knew I wanted what he had.

• A desire to be in my Father’s presence::close enough to share my needs.
• A confidence to ask and wait with hope.
• Eyes to see answers to the longings of my heart.
• Hope—that my Father always has my best interest in mind—even if my requests are out of line. He gently shifts my perspective and opens my heart for what I need…not just want.

A few things keep me from that child-like faith.  They aren’t new things. I’ve stumbled over for these obstacles for years.  Fear, hurt, rejection, unworthiness, and past disappointment. Maybe you are familiar with the heavy chains of these obstacles. The voice that cautions—when courage is required. The voice that imprisons—while the key to freedom hangs around my neck. The voice that rehearses every mistake—when my Father’s voice has already declared I’m forgiven.

I have only one solution. One strong position against the voices that keep me from child-like faith. Jesus. When I am hidden in Him, the voice of the enemy loses effectiveness.  In His presence, His sovereignty transcends my fears…His love transcends my failures…His generosity transcends my deficiencies. I am called, justified, and set apart. There I receive grace upon grace.

I urge you to find time today to crawl into His presence. Ever loving, He will receive you with mercy and healing.  Go ahead…get close enough to ask, near enough to listen, and humble enough to wait.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.  This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 34:4-8