More From Joy Margetts

I am so inspired by my grandchildren! I have found they speak so much to me about God and my relationship with God. Since writing today’s meditation, my grandson has grown. And I now have a little granddaughter. I am blessed to be able to care for them both.

My grandson is almost three. His language is coming on fast, and he loves to sing. The other evening, putting him to bed, we went through the routine of milk, pajamas, and stories, and I had him all tucked in his bed. He was adamant that I stay for a bit. “Nana, sit here,” he said, pointing to a spot between his bed and a chest of drawers that was impossible for me to wedge my adult frame into. I got as close as I could, shifting around until he was satisfied with my position. I sat with him in the semidarkness, resting my head on the side of his bed, feeling so blessed to be able to be with him for those few moments as he settled down.

Then he started singing, “Twinkle, twinkle, ‘ittle star. How I, how I . . . are.” It didn’t matter that he got the words wrong. He wasn’t at all self-conscious about singing in my presence. He was happy and secure and just singing because he loves to. I smiled as he finished the verse and then started it all over again — his own version. The wave of love I felt for him almost overwhelmed me.

It made me ponder. How often do we come to God self-conscious? Maybe we have said or done — or thought — something we are ashamed of. Maybe we think we must behave or speak a certain way in God’s presence. But the truth is that God is always with us and sees us and knows us intimately — not just in the moments we set aside to spend with God. God sees our thoughts and knows the words on our tongues even before we speak them (see Ps. 139:1-4).

I think the way my grandson is with me is how God loves for us to be with God — just aware that God is with us and so secure in God’s love for us that it doesn’t matter if we get our words wrong when we speak or sing. God just loves to sit with us and listen to us. When we direct our words or songs to God, it delights God so much.

In those sweet moments when it is just us and God, God wants us to be ourselves. God gazes on us adoringly, reaching out to hold our hand, whispering to us how much God loves us. We can come into God’s presence singing (see Ps. 100:2), speaking, whispering, or talking with our hearts. We don’t have to worry if we don’t have the words right. When we ask for forgiveness, it is always freely given (see 1 Jn. 1:9). We can enjoy the peace of knowing just how much God loves us and loves being with us. Just like my grandson loves being with me.

You can find more of Joy Margetts' writing on her blog: https://joymargetts.com/blog/.