What’s your name?

[notice]Musings around children’s ministry. Reflections on week 4 of 10 weeks teaching stint.[/notice]

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Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. — Luke 18:15-17

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This week I finally got an opportunity to leave the four walls of our office and spend some time with some children! I visited a foster care facility near where we live and made up for all the time I’ve spent indoors. The thing that fascinated me was that the children in the preschool were so well adjusted and confident.  Maybe a little too confident…

“Pick me up! I love you”

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Me: “I-I love you too” [Overwhelmed]

“What’s your name?”

I was bowled over by the fact that these children are just so open and eager to give and receive love. They didn’t mind who I was, they just wanted to be close to me. At one point I was mobbed by about 5 children who surrounded me and hugged me tightly. Fortunately we were in the safety of their classroom, otherwise I may have shared a lesson about “stranger danger” with the dear little ones! But their innocence and trust was a touching reminder about how we are to be before the Lord.

Imagine the Lord’s response to us as we nestle deeper into His embrace and ask Him for the umpteenth time, “What’s your name?” There’s a song I learned at a camp once that listed many of the Lord’s names. Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Shama, Jehovah Ebenezer, Jehovah Rapha …the list goes on. Every time we ask our heavenly Father who He is to us he gives a perfect answer. He is all these things and more and His heart is to share more of Himself with us. Let’s never stop asking our Father to show us who He is in our lives. He’s invited us to be like children and come confidently to Him to spend time with Him.