“Where can I go then from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I make the grave my bed, you are there also. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand will lead me and your right hand hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-10.
My two-and-a-half-year-old grandson, Cam, stayed overnight with us last night. We had lots of fun playing on the floor. The firetrucks and aid cars were out as we ran from one emergency to another. The tired first responders took a break and enjoyed some of Connie Alexander’s homemade apple pie.
All was good except… Except it was now time for bed. Cam was having none of it. He tried negotiation. “I will make you a deal, Bapa.” He tried hiding and running. He decided he needed to use the bathroom – an extended visit, with a story.
As we snuggled on the floor, Cam started acting even more like a two-year-old. He did not want to sleep, he wanted to keep playing. He struggled to get away. He kicked and cried. He said, “I don’t like you Bapa.” I said, “Well Cam, I like you, and I love you.” “I don’t like Bapa, I like Gigi.” “That is fine Cam, I like you, and I love you, and you are my favorite.” “You are not my favorite Bapa.”
As this interchange continued for 20 minutes, I could not help but think of Psalm 139. How often we humans run from God. How often we rebel, wander off, kick and scream against the one who loves us. Life is difficult. When we are little, we do not want to go to bed. When we are older, we just want to go to bed.
Life is difficult and it does not always go our way. We find ourselves mad at God. “I do not like you God. I do not want to be around you. I don’t think that you care about me.” And God’s response is always the same, even though we are acting like a two-year-old. “I love you, I will always love you, you are my favorite.”
There is nothing that Cam could possibly do that would stop me from loving him. I might not always like his behavior, but I cannot help but love him. He is my favorite. He is my favorite along with my daughters, my dear Gigi, little Cooper, and you.
We can run from God, but when we are done running, God is there to welcome us home. We can curse God, but when we are done with our fit, God is there to welcome us back to the meal. We can refuse to believe in God, but God will never refuse to believe in us.
My whole body was sore this morning; I am not used to sleeping on the floor. Cam stretched and yawned. He said, “I love you Bapa. But let’s go, there is a fire. It is an emergency!”
My love to you and more importantly—God’s love to you.
Pastor Jim
