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Listen while you read: "Crown Him With Many Crowns"1
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Mark 10:13-14 – People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (NIV)
My youngest grandchild was busy working on a craft while I was writing. Suddenly, she was standing at my elbow asking this question as she showed me her accomplishment: "Are you impressed with me, Grammy?"
I was indeed impressed with her work. I was even more pleased, however, by my impression of her open, honest little heart that allowed her to know that she could come and ask me such a question. As her words rattled about in my mind for the rest of the day, I was reminded that, as God's children, He wants us to be just as open and honest with Him. He wants us to know that whatever we ask Him or tell Him, it's okay, for He hears and understands everything about us. He knows when we need a bit of praise or encouragement. He understands when our thoughts don't line up with His. When we are open and honest with Him about them, He is then able to gently guide and transform those thoughts to become godly ones. When we sin and hope that no one ever finds out, He longs for us to come and openly share it with Him. He already knows all about it, yet His heart still longs to hear it directly from our heart to His.
What a wonderful God and Father He is to each and every one of us, a Father who yearns for intimacy with us, to have us come to Him about everything and anything! Nothing is too big or too small, too ugly or too dirty to lay before Him, even though He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
"Are you impressed with me, Grammy?" — an open and honest question from the mouth of a trusting and humble child. May we, too, this day and every day, strive to be just as open and honest, as trusting and humble children, with our God and Father. As we do so, we can also know that just as I was impressed with my grandchild's accomplishment and her childlike faith in me, He, too, will be impressed with our desire for intimacy with Him and will reward us accordingly.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for loving us with a love so high and deep and wide that there is nothing that we cannot talk to You about. Help us to remember that You desire and reward an open, honest, trusting, humble heart, the kind of heart that smooths the way to true intimacy with You. Bless us with such hearts now and forever. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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Weak and needy we approach the Lord.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Another great devotional Lynne. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
A beautiful interpretation. Thank you for inspiring me in my morning chats with our Lord.
Hello Lynne
Another beautiful story and reminder!!!
God bless.
Lynne, the little children really show us how we are to be before a loving Father, don’t they? Thank you for this great example. God bless you and your grandchildren!
It seems a while since your last devotional, today’s hit home in a very personal way. The closing prayer was very meaningful.
Thank you, Lynne. Blessings.
From one Grammy to another, THANK YOU. It is important to remember this, and I am grateful for the reminder.
Christ’s grace and peace to you.
Morning Lynne, I just love how you express your love and devotion towards all of life’s beautiful gifts. Thanks as always for sharing such beautiful moments with your sweet grandchild.
Blessings.
Thank you, Lynne, for this very sweet and heartwarming devotional today.
Little children are such a delight in our lives, and they trustingly come forward to us with very open questions. We too can go to our loving Lord in such a way and know He is eager to hear our prayers and appreciative of our trust in Him. The words in your closing prayer have much in-depth meaning and reassurance. Blessings for these very special and mindful writings you prepare each time.
Good morning, Lynne,
I am a little late doing my emails this morning because I was chatting with my granddaughter. However, she is 25 and still sometimes needs to chat to work things out that are going through her brain.
I was smiling all the way through your message and definitely you are right on. God wants to hear from us the good and the not so good, so He can show us love, comfort, and joy. Thanks for sharing and still praying.
Beautiful child!! Both you and your granddaughter. I’m sure you know that when we ‘talk to the Lord’ about … whatever, there is always a reply, a response one way or another. He never leaves us as orphans, and He always gives us some new (or old) thought that helps us with our current situation – even when the situation is a feeling of gratitude, joy, sadness, fear – absolutely anything that’s on our hearts and minds.
It’s HIS response to our word to HIM that gives us the confidence to go to Him again … and again. May HE deeply bless you and all your loved ones, today and every day.
Thank you, Lynne, for this encouragement. I like this in particular: He wants us to be just as open and honest with Him. He wants us to know that whatever we ask Him or tell Him, it’s okay, for He hears and understands everything about us. He knows when we need a bit of praise or encouragement. He understands when our thoughts don’t line up with His. When we are open and honest with Him about them, He is then able to gently guide and transform those thoughts to become godly ones. When we sin and hope that no one ever finds out, He longs for us to come and openly share it with Him. He already knows all about it, yet His heart still longs to hear it directly from our heart to His.