Coffee and Conversations

It's funny how God so often speaks through simple everyday happenings. For this to make sense I will have to tell you a little bit about Jason's two daughters, Zoe and Lucy. Zoe is four and Lucy is about 18 months. Now these two have quite different personalities as is usual with first and second born and this difference is what God used today to remind me of who He is. Zoe is a little shy and reserved but very loving when you get to know her, or rather when she gets to know you. Lucy on the other hand is very out going and looking for someone to play with most of the time. This story started Saturday night while I was standing talking with some people at the Place during our Saturday night game time. Kathy came in with Zoe and Lucy, she set Lucy down and I squatted down and called Lucy's name. She hesitated for a moment so I spread out my arms and she came running with her arms out to hug me. Now Lucy may come running to you whether you call her name or not but Zoe is a different story. As Lucy came over I noticed the look on Zoe's face. It was not a look of jealousy but more of a “I wish I could do that” so I spread out one arm and called her name and she came running and gave me a hug and then was off about her business of curing Tigger of some make believe ailment or arranging all the stuffed animals for a party. All those important things that us adults miss out on to often because we are to busy with other stuff. We should make it a priority to heal Tiggers of make believe ailments every chance we get or at least that is what I think. Just be careful, they are bouncy, pouncy and fun fun fun. I didn't think about this much more other than how Zoe's countenance had changed after the look on her face to start with. I've seen that face and felt myself making it on numerous occasions as a child. Wanting to do something but a little to timid to ask permission and hoping for an invitation. The memory of Saturday came rushing back this afternoon as I was sitting in the coffee shop. Kathy came walking by with Jason's sisters family and as they passed Lucy turned to come in the coffee shop. She really likes it so she could not be deterred from a visit so as she stuck her head in the door I called her name. She wasn't paying much attention but what happened then surprised me. Zoe came running in past Lucy and came and gave me a big hug. What struck me was that she had taken the invitation on Saturday night not as a one time thing but as open and ongoing. It made me smile to think that she knows me well enough to know that she can do that and it's a safe thing and that I would never refuse her a hug. I little later as I was telling Jason about it God brought a thought to my mind that I often forget. He reminded me that I have an open invitation to run and hug Him. He has given me permission to hug Him at any time no matter what is going on and that is absolutely nothing that can keep me from Him and I can stay as long as I want. His love is so great for me that that permission has no conditions on it what so ever and nothing I do or can do can change that. He simply says come and let me love on you no matter your condition at the moment.

Today was one of those days when God came to me and loved on me through a hug and smile from a little girl named Zoe and reminded me of those things I should not forget.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

I hope that you have loved on God today or let Him love on you.

In Christ,
Johnny