Psalm 5:7
But as for me, I will come into your Temple protected by your mercy and your love; I will worship you with deepest awe.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
My childhood neighborhood
was filled with residents who were old enough to be my grandparents. My
sister, brother and I were welcomed into their homes like we truly were
their grandchildren. We pretty much had free run of the neighborhood
and felt welcome, protected, and loved in each and every home. It was
like that for the other handful of kids who lived near us, also.
So
as I told a friend about our four-year-old niece Zola - and how she had
practically bathed in cologne Sunday morning before church – she
remembered a time that she went to visit one of her neighbors. She
said, “I got into her sachet one evening at a visit - then denied it to
the death!” Those were the days…when we felt comfortable and safe
enough to go to a neighbor’s and pilfer - even if it was a bad thing to
do!
We have tried to teach the little ones that it is impolite to
help yourself in others’ homes…but all three feel pretty comfortable
and cozy with checking the fridge and pantry when they visit us…or
getting in the closet to grab a superhero costume or a toy they know is
kept there. And I want them to feel at home when they visit. I want
them to experience grace and mercy in our presence…and to always feel
loved. But I want them to also learn respect for us, our home, and our
belongings.
More importantly, I want to teach the children to
feel God’s love and protection…His grace and mercy. I want them to
always be comfortable in His presence…and to worship Him with deepest
awe and respect. I want them to respect God - and what belongs to Him -
as they learn to truly worship and serve. This should be our goal,
also…regardless of our age.
Just as children should learn not to
pilfer and get into things – in their own home or that of others – we
should learn to respect and revere God and His belongings. We should
not overindulge – in anything – or assume that we have “carte blanche”
with God. But at the same time, we need to understand how much He loves
us – how He continually extends grace and mercy to us…covers us and
protects us…and overlooks more of our transgressions and childish
behaviors than any of us deserves.
We are so often like the
impetulant child who got into a grown-up’s sachet or cologne and denies
doing so. We don’t deserve to have our misdeeds overlooked or
forgiven…and yet this is often exactly what God does, out of His
incredible love and mercy. Will this be the day that you begin to show
more gratitude…to demonstrate your reverence and deepest awe – and do
your best to love God more and serve Him better? Don’t you think it
should be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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