I’ve been basking in the songs of our upcoming Christmas Eve services for over a month. I’ve played them again and again. Because they’re unique and, well, they're just plain beautiful. But it wasn't until Friday afternoon, as I was driving home, that I was struck with the lyrics of one of the songs. “Like a Child” by Blessing Offor. Honestly, I’ve been singing this song a ridiculous amount, but it was during this particular drive that God clearly spoke to me, wanting me to pay attention to the words of the Chorus.
Like a child
Loving the season like a child
Keep on believing like a child
That miracles happen
If you just imagine
Like a child
When my daughter, Breezy, was young, we were at a friend's house when we got word that their neighbor had fallen and hurt herself. As we stood and talked about our concern, Breezy looked at us and simply said, “We should go pray for her.” We all looked at her, took a beat and then proceeded to run next door to do exactly that. Afterwards, we came back and Breezy went about her play with no further thought about it. She had prayed and that was that.
Somewhere along the line, I have lost my courage or the joy of praying and asking God for anything. Because once I pray then I begin to wait and worry for God’s next step. Instead of, as Breezy so clearly demonstrated, going on with my life. Trusting that God is doing whatever he’s doing and all is good. Living in the moment. Like a child.
Like a child who simply trusts. Who simply believes. Because in that believing, miracles happen. Breezy knew that. I think I did at one time, but I had forgotten.
Later Blessing sings,
My heart is tender like child
And I will surrender like a child
For born to us
Both meek and mild
Was a child
The miracles of that time in history, in our history, is an unbelievable story. Angels, a virgin, God’s son born in a stable, shepherds visited by oodles of more angels, wisemen finding their way to Jesus to give him gifts. God’s son come to earth. And, like a child, I believe it.
But it’s time I get back to believing it all. To believe that God is still here. Doing miracles. If I will imagine it. And like a child, to live in the present. That’s what children do. When I ask my grandson, Phoenix, what he did earlier in the day, he can’t remember. Because he’s living in the moment.
Now, I fully recognize, being not so young or inexperienced, that faith requires work, requires a fair amount of wrestling. Because faith doesn’t come easy. But, I think, what God is encouraging me to do today, for a while, is to surrender my “tender heart” and to just enjoy the privilege, the miracle of praying to him. Praying for my friends and my family. Praying for healing, for provision, for hope and strength and joy. And then trusting that God is doing whatever he’s doing and all is good.
And then get back to playing. While I keep on believing. That miracles happen. If I just imagine. Like a child
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