Several weeks ago, we attended Homeschool Outdoor school. It was a great week, full of rocket building, folk dancing, fishing, hiking, campfires, skits, camp songs, devotions, and SOO much more.

When my husband, our two youngest kids, and I returned home, we were greeted by three of our grandchildren and their mama, who’d been watching over the place. We sat down and retold stories from the week while six-year-old Mercy cozied onto my lap. Rose and Boaz played, listened, then ran to the trampoline to jump with our son, Caleb. Mercy never left my lap. If she were a kitten, she would have purred.

Suddenly, she got the bug to play. She dashed to the floor and ran across the room. I guess to fetch her shoes. Still in motion, she called over her shoulder, “Oh, and Grandma, my sandal broke. I need you to get me new ones.” Broken item retrieved, she stood in front of me breathless, displaying the flapping sole disconnected from the white leather strap.

“I see.” I squatted down to assess the damage. Then I looked in her eyes. “Thanks for letting me know. We’ll see what Grandpa and I can do about that.”

She smiled big. Her brown eyes sparkled, and she ran outside to play. Inside, my heart was dancing, pondering, elated. What was it about grandkids that tickles me like that? She made me feel . . . I’m not sure what. Needed? There are plenty of needs around here. It’s got to be something more.

She possessed perfect assurance that I would care about her problem and do something about it. Also, she hadn’t told me immediately. That would have made me feel like a vending machine. Nope, she’d valued me, the soft-bodied grandma I’ve become, and spent time with me. Then, when she was reminded of her need, she knew where to go.

Does God feel like that? Honored we’d call on Him when need strikes, yet especially grateful that we don’t come only to ask? We show up to linger and enjoy Him first. No vending machine vibes, just living life together. Then, when we hit rough spots in life, we can boldly approach Him. “Oh, by the way, this thing in my life is broken. I’m gonna need some help over here. Thanks!”

I have every reason to believe He feels those warm feelings of love over us, His children.

Zephaniah 3:17 describes God as rejoicing over His people with singing and quieting them with His love, like I felt with little Mercy.

He delights in caring for and blessing His children (Jeremiah 32:40-41).

Here’s a verse that warns about being double minded in our heart to God in our requests: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8 NKJV).

Because of Christ, God looks at His children not with disappointment, but with favor.

And you better believe I went shoe shopping that very next week. Why? Because of a love bond I can’t explain. Something better than a kitten happened to me, and I’m smitten. Perhaps you know the feeling. Write and tell me about it.

For the Generation that Seeks Him,

Melinda Poling