By F. D. Adkins
Standing at the edge of the yard, she stares out into the surrounding darkness and then looks back at the home enveloped in a yellow aura so bright it is almost blinding. A feeling of security radiates from the combination of the glow through the windows, the porch light, and the spotlights in the landscaping shining on the house. Outside the well-lit perimeter of the yard is nothing but woods, dark woods.
Laughter penetrates her ears, and she turns her attention to the thick trees. The sound seems to be coming from just inside. One step won’t hurt. I just want to see who is there. She takes a step to the edge of the trees squinting her eyes trying to catch sight of someone in the darkness. Nothing but the sound of laughter. Just another step…or two. The darkness gets thicker as the trees begin to block the light from the house. A bit of fear starts to creep in, but the laughing is getting louder.
The young woman’s curiosity trumps her fear, and she presses on a little farther. What is that? Now music blends with the laughter. She shouts, “Hello…hello…is anyone there?”
No one replies, but the volume of the music and laughter seem closer. A few steps deeper, and she calls out again. “HELLO! Who is there?”
When no one responds, chills shoot down her spine. What was I thinking coming in here? I meant only to step to the edge. But the music and the laughter pull at her like gravity. It must be a party. One more step. I could use some fun.
She takes two more steps, and now the laughter has become shrill screams. She tries to yell above the blaring music, but her voice falls on deaf ears. Reality slices through her heart, and she wraps her arms tightly around herself. She is alone…all alone in the darkness. How did I get here? Why didn’t I just go into the house?
She twists her head searching frantically for a glimmer of the light. Far off in the distance, a speck glitters. She takes off running as fast as she can. The light grows brighter, and she starts yelling, “Father, Father, help!”
As she darts from the shroud of the trees, her father jumps from the porch with his arms wide open. She falls into his embrace and through her sobs she whimpers, “I’m sorry, Daddy, I should never have left the light.”
Her father squeezes her in a hug. “Come inside, my child. Let’s sit down and eat.”
***
As I started my conversation with God this morning, a question suddenly popped into my head. How could I get through the day without a relationship with God? I cannot imagine the loneliness that I would feel not talking and sharing with God all throughout the day because no matter what I talk to Him about, I know He sincerely cares and is listening to every word no matter how insignificant my discourse may seem.
- God wants a personal relationship with each of His children.
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20 KJV).
In this verse, the reference to sharing a meal indicates the personal relationship that God wants with those who accept Him, but it is the wording that expresses the closeness that He wants to share with each one of us. Note that the verse says, “…I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” This is a one-on-one setting.
- How do I know God cares about everything I have to say?
- “But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12 KJV).
We are God’s children. As a parent, I long for my children to talk to me. It does not matter what it is about. So, as much as I want my children to talk to me, I cannot imagine how much our Heavenly Father wants us to talk to Him.
- “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:16). “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered…” (Luke 12:7).
If God has every detail of our lives documented and knows the number of hairs on each of our heads, I believe he cares about every word we have to say.
- He understands pain and stress, and He hurts when His children hurt.
- In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said, “…My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death…” (Mark 14:34 KJV).
- “When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept” (John 11: 33-35 KJV).
Jesus was troubled by Mary’s pain. The verse does not say, but I believe Jesus is weeping in response to Mary’s hurting heart. Jesus loves Lazarus, but He knows He is going to raise Lazarus up.
- He wants us to bring our pain and our troubles to Him.
- “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16 KJV).
He has lived on earth as a man. He can empathize with our troubles. He understands. According to this verse, He wants us to come to Him with confidence, and He will help.
- God hears our cries for help. “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears” (Psalm18:6 KJV). He is listening!
- But even when my faith falters, He will lift me up.
- “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31 KJV).
Even if I get scared, even if I do not completely hand Him the problem, all I have to do is call out, and He will rescue me just as He did Peter.
So…. I am so thankful I have a relationship with my Heavenly Father…
A Father that is always there to listen. A Father that wants to hear about the joyous morning I had talking to my husband over a cup of coffee, a Father that wants to hear me whine about driving in the rain, a Father that wants to hear about my endless worries, a Father who hears my cry for help and is there to pull me up from the valley, a Father that wants to have dinner with me. My Heavenly Father, the King of Kings, wants to have dinner with me.
I cannot imagine a day without walking and talking with God, could you?
***
“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.”
1 Chronicles 16:11 KJV
