Child's Play

I should tell you that it wasn't actually me who saw Jesus on the playground. It was my sister, Marilyn. And it happened several years ago while we were camping in the Santa Cruz area. Since I am currently sitting in my tent within a pine-cone's throw away from that exact playground, I thought I would attempt to revisit that story...On that day, Marilyn returned to our campsite and related this account after observing a man and his son interacting ; the boy played and the dad watched. The boy tried much on his own. He climbed, he ran, he jumped, he dug in the sand...It was fun. The father was near and the boy was feeling confident and secure. That is until he found himself out of his comfort zone. He went higher on the structure than he had before. His limbs could not reach the ground and the jump seemed frightening and unsafe. He began to talk about it, to grumble, and finally to call out to his father. When he did, the father simply asked, "What is it you want me to do for you, son?". The boy declared his predicament (although the dad surely was already aware of it) and the father had the strength and knowledge to effortlessly rescue the helpless lad...So Marilyn and I, being the odd sort we are, saw the reflection of our own Heavenly Father in the moment. How near He always is to us. How he enjoys watching us play and learn and stretch ourselves. And how, when we lack the courage and the strength to jump we need only to call to Him. While He certainly could act without us ever asking, He seems to desire the asking itself. Perhaps it is the acknowledgment of our dependence on Him, or perhaps just His desire to interact with those He loves and has compassion on. I do not mean to imply that He will give us our every whim, if only we make the request. But undoubtedly He does not desire us fall headlong or remain paralyzed by fear. So cry to Him. He is very near and He can effortlessly lift you to safety. Do you hear Him asking "What is it you want me to do for you, child?"

"Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" Matt. 7:9-11