Tell your Father

I went out to a meeting this morning, leaving my husband home with the kids as well as the key to the gate at the end of our driveway.  Upon returning home, I found our three-year-old alone in the driveway on his plastic scooter.  I stopped at the closed gate and honked the horn to indicate that I didn’t have the key to open.  He looked up, and in an instant, his stubby, short little legs went motoring off like the old roadrunner cartoon, his arms pumping wildly as he ran as fast as his small stature would carry him. 

I smiled at how cute he was.

Within seconds, the same mad dash came tearing back, but this time with the proud announcement, “I told Daddy!” 

The scene described above made me think about our relationship with our heavenly Father, particularly in relation to prayer.  My three-year-old saw someone else’s need, realized that he could not meet that need on his own, and ran instantly to his father, who could help. 

We, too, should be on the lookout for other people’s needs, should be starkly aware of our own shortcomings in being able to help on our own, and enthusiastically bring those needs to our Father, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. 

I say this with a convicted heart, for how often do I run to God first when confronted with a need?  To be honest, not often enough.  And when I do (eventually) go to Him, how often do I genuinely believe that He really is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine?  Sure, I believe it in my head - but does my heart pray as though I am convinced?  Even though I have seen His abundant grace, His immeasurable power time and time again, my faith is still so weak.  Increase my faith, O God.