Guest Post: All I Want for Christmas Is
Today my friend and fellow author, Janice Dick, joins me on my blog. Janice Dick writes historical and contemporary fiction, inspirational articles, blogs and book reviews. She also edits and presents writing workshops.
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All I Want for Christmas Is . . .
I recently received a phone call from one of my grandkids, four-year old Jordy. He schmoozed a bit first because that’s what he does, then said something garbled about Christmas, followed by, “This…and this…and this…and this…”
“Jordy,” I interrupted, “do you have a list there?”
“Yes.”
“Have you been looking at the catalogue?”
“Yes.”
“Are these all things you want for Christmas?”
“Yes,” followed by a cheery goodbye. Mission accomplished.
Is that how my prayers sound to God? Do I schmooze my way into His presence with the prescribed praise, confession, thanksgiving, then get to the good stuff: my list of wants? Some of them are legit, some are just plain selfish. Sometimes I’m ashamed of how childishly I approach the Holy God.
But wait. Jordy’s chitchat didn’t bug me; I was more than pleased to hear from him. Sure, he was thinking of himself, but he also thought about me and took time to call—I know how he is. I loved piecing together the puzzle of his thoughts and deciphering his words. I guessed at what “this” and “this” might be. He made me smile and my love for him grew, as it does every time I see or hear from him.
I have a heavenly Father who adores me. He calls me the apple of his eye. Every moment of every day His thoughts are with me. When I rattle off my list of wants, He stoops to listen, and I like to think He smiles when He hears my voice. He knows how I am, yet His love for me is greater than I can dream or imagine. He tells me to approach Him with confidence and I am safe in His love.
This Christmas season I sense that Jesus is taking time to teach me—through the words of a child—how to love Him better. I trust His love and acceptance of me as much as Jordy trusts that I’ll open my arms to him when he comes for Christmas. And yes, there will be presents.
© Janice L. Dick
December 9, 2013
Check out Janice’s newest release, Other Side of the River, available from Amazon. (Currently volumes 1 and 2 are available)
