In a church service recently, my five-year-old daughter Laci was quietly sitting down and drawing a picture. Taking great care with the detail in this picture she was finally satisfied with her sketch and showed the picture to my wife Jayne. In her picture was a very large man and a little girl. She went on to explain that the little girl was herself and the big person was God. Pausing for a moment to think she then added, “I’m going to keep this picture forever and when I get to heaven I am going to give it to God!”

When my wife told me after I had finished preaching I couldn’t help but be struck with this statement my daughter had made. Two things struck me about this comment.

The first was the simple, child-like faith that resonated in the statement. Like a child proudly displaying their artistic portrayal of their little stick-figure family, sometimes exaggerating features in our appearances and discerningly informing us they think our nose or ears are big and that is why they drew it that way. But in all sincerity, they are trying to communicate a love for the people in their lives that mean everything to them.

I am reminded of the words of Jesus who spoke saying, “unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” This He spoke to His disciples challenging their thinking towards their aspirations and focus for life. Then in the very next chapter the disciples were telling off a bunch of children who were wanting to come and sit with Jesus. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

As I think back to what my daughter said, I get the sense that this is what Jesus was trying to show us. We can get so caught up with adult responsibilities that we lose the awe and simple, child-like love and appreciation for our Saviour. Like Martha, who was so busy working and serving that she missed the most important thing; spending time with Jesus! Remember when serving God was a joy? When being in God’s presence at church would fill you with joy unspeakable? Is it still a joy? Remember when you were hurt, beaten up by life or unsure what to do and you would run straight to God and His word? When, with simple child-like faith, you would trust that your Heavenly Father would take care of you? Do you still run to Him and His word?

The second thing that really stood out to me was the sense of anticipation of the day that my daughter would be with her Heavenly Father. Life truly is so short. David prayed, “LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days….”

The great joy of the believer is knowing that we have a day to look forward to when this mortal will put on immortality. But more importantly, we will enter the very presence of our Creator, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus. Does that day still capture your whole being with great anticipation?

I want to encourage you to rediscover the wonder of our Great and Mighty Saviour Jesus. It’s important to manage the responsibilities of life but make sure that you take the time to remember what is truly important. Take time to draw a picture for God every now and then.

Scriptural References:
Matthew 18:3 – Disciples & greatness
Mathew 19:14 – Jesus & children
Luke 10:40 – Martha
Psalm 39:5 – David- Life is short