The parent

I was laying in bed with my daughter tonight and as she was settling and falling asleep I started thinking.  I started to feel like I hadn't beeen spending enough time talking to or spending time with God and had this sadness.  Just as quickly I started to think about Selah and our day.  She reached over with her back to me with one hand and laid it on my chest.  When she knew I was still there, she took it away and took a deep breath.

She doesn't need me every second.  She did when she was an infant but now, she goes hours without even seeing me, especially when I worked.  Sure, she thinks about me but she is occupied, and its a GOOD thing.  She is learning, interacting with others, etc.  Now that I am with her and teaching class with the children, she sees me but still doesn't need my eye contact all the time or to cuddle. 

I thought about how this relates to us and God.  I mean, not being with me for 8 hours doesn't make me love her any less or make her love me any less, and it doesn't make me not her mom.  We check in here and there and that's enough.  We still know we love each other.  She goes off and does her thing, explores and learns, and she checks in when she needs it.

This is so like our relationship with Abba God.  We don't have to be praying or reading the Bible 24-7.  We learn, we explore, we build relationships, we enjoy our life and surroundings.  Its ok, its good, its healthy.  We check in when we need to and He delights in that.  Its enough.