I Just Like You

A devotion from my archives:  September 29, 2009

     Last week at school I went into one of our kindergarten classes.  There were a few children in the class that I wanted to get to know better.  They were the ones who had some trouble with the tasks during kindergarten screening.  I wanted to see how we could help them to be successful with the kindergarten curriculum.  Their teacher was just beginning to read a story to the children who sat near her on the rug.  She invited me to join them.  I criss-crossed my legs and sat down.
     One of the little guys that I was there to see, glanced over at me, then inched over and put his head on my shoulder.  I smiled at him and then nodded back at the book his teacher was reading.  He grinned then plumped himself right into my lap.  He settled in and made himself comfortable.  I whispered to him, “Look at you just inviting yourself onto my lap.”  He nuzzled his head under my neck and whispered back, “I just like you.”      
     Isn’t that the sweetest thing?  “I just like you.”
     That little boy had given me a glimpse of how I want to be as a child of God.
     I have a Heavenly Father with arms open wide and a lap that is always available for me to clamber into.  He wants me to sit with Him not only when I’m hurt or afraid, but to enjoy being in His presence because I just like Him.

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord;

apart from you I have no good thing."

Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;

You have made my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

Surely I have a delightful inheritance.

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

Even at night my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me.

Because he is at my right hand, 

I will not be shaken. ~Psalm 16:1-2 & 5-8

     Have you climbed into God’s lap lately, just to tell Him, “I just like you?”