Child-like Faith: Anticipating the Presence of the Lord
My four-year-old grandson had an exceptional week at preschool, so we celebrated with a sleepover at Grammie and Papa’s.
Papa took him on an adventure in the golf cart and let Avery “drive” the secret path to the Catawba River. Then, they headed to the grocery store for ice cream sandwiches for dessert. 
Isn’t that what all Papa’s do?
I took over for bath time, reading books, and getting Avery into bed. Bedtime is always special, especially prayer time. Avery’s sweet words matched his tender tone as he spoke to God.
“Dear God,” he began, then thanked the Lord for every family member, including his dogs, Piper and Oreo. Avery mentioned Oreo twice. Some things deserve extra acknowledgment. Without pausing, he finished his prayer with, “Bye. See you later.”
My heart stopped.
A week prior, I combed through old files and ran across a printout of a talk my mother gave nearly thirty years earlier at a ladies’ conference. She shared how my oldest sister Davida, then three, prayed one evening and ended with words similar to Avery’s, “Good night, God. See you in the morning.”
My mother cried for hours until my father promised this didn’t mean Davida would die in the night. Daddy explained that God was so real to her; she was saying goodnight and letting God know she’d pick up their conversation when she woke.
“At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:1-3
I lay in bed that night and talked to my Lord about the blessing of this child and the simplicity of his acceptance of God being there. I thanked the Lord for my children and that my oldest is training up my grandsons in the faith.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4
When I ended my prayer, I repeated Avery’s words. “Bye. See you later.” My usual “Amen” felt cold and impersonal after such a tender conversation. I wanted God to know I anticipated and looked forward to waking to His presence.
Child-like faith is something I desire.
I love Avery’s innocent and unassuming way of asking honest questions about God. Most of which I can’t quickly answer. Watching him retell Bible stories with wide-eyed amazement, yet total acceptance and belief amazes me. But I think Avery’s willingness to trust and accept God’s answers touches me the most. He’ll remind me to take all my cares and worries to the Lord because He cares about me. Hearing Avery repeat this VBS memory verse fills my cup.
Do I have this same child-like faith? Am I willing to ask honest questions of God and then accept the answers He gives? Do I still have the wide-eyed, open-hearted excitement when I read God’s word? Do I easily and quickly trust and accept God’s answers? How open am I to God’s plan for my life? Am I dependent on Jesus to the point I am unable to do anything without him?
I want that kind of child-like faith. My grandson’s faith and the simple way he talks to God will be a memory I treasure, but I pray it will also be a lesson I live by.
What about you? In what ways have you experienced a child-like faith? I always appreciate hearing from you in the comments below.
If you like Christian Historical Fiction, I encourage you to try Desire of my Heart.* The character of five-year-old Thomas is based on my grandson, Avery.
*Please note this is an affiliate link. As always, it costs you nothing extra, and it all goes to my chocolate fund.