Playing with Blocks

I just turned 35 and I have an almost 2 year old. I didn’t know if I would ever have children, but I have longed for kids for years. I am now blessed with one and would love a handful more.

Thomas is one of my greatest joys in this world. My heart aches (in a good way) when I see his joy as he runs up to embrace me when I come home. I literally could sit and watch him play for hours and do the same thing over and over again to see him laugh. I love my son and I am a thankful 35 year old man.

God has been tugging on my heart as I’ve watched Thomas lately. Thomas will grab his shapes out of toy box and put them through the right hole. The star shape goes through the star hole, etc… I always cheer when he figures it out and I always encourage him when he gets frustrated. This isn’t rocket science, but I do swell with heart felt pride seeing my son figure things out and simply try.

I’ve imagined lately how God views us, His precious children. God is the One who created everything – the massiveness of the Universe, the small sub-atomic particles, the flower, our souls, and the list goes on. The mathematics that describes how the whole universe is held together – He made that up.

Here I sit, a pastor who is 35 years old. I struggle so much. I long to know God more and to point others to Jesus. My attempts are often like trying to put the star in the star hole. Even if I accomplish something, it is only because God gave me the opportunity and the gifts to achieve it. Everything I have is from Him. The interesting, heart-warming, life-altering thing is that He delights in us. He delights in His kids and my love for Thomas is just a small shadow of what our Heavenly Father feels about us. He knows what is best for us and it is Him.

Be encouraged as you read Zephaniah 3:17 and know that, if you are a child of God, this is how He feels about you. And if you don’t know Jesus personally, the call goes out to you today.

17 For the LORD your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.*
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”