Lent is a time of reflection, and today’s poem tells us to approach God in humility, to come to Him as a child. Jesus used this image often to explain that our belief and faith does not need to be couched in religiosity, in theology, in philosophical interpretations. We need childlike faith, a simple trust that God is in charge, that we are not, because we are children, even as adults, aren’t we? We don’t have all the answers. We don’t have as much control as we’d like to think we do. We need to trust in the loving Father who created us and who knows what’s best. Won’t you Come as a Child with me today?
MY PSALM 308 COME AS A CHILD
Almighty God, Sovereign over all,
I dare come into Your Presence,
Confessing that I am unworthy
Through sin’s taint to do so.
You created me, wondrously created me,
And the whole of creation around me.
Yet I have attempted to make this world
Revolve around me in sinful self-centeredness and pride,
And have usurped power only given me by You.
I always knew You existed. I said, “I believe in God.”
I knew in my intellect that You existed, and that,
Perhaps as sure death approached, I might even pray.
As I return to Your scriptures,
And seriously feast on the message,
As I mutter immature prayers and stutter and stammer,
As I go through the motions, I can fool others, even myself,
Yet I know You are seeking me, all of me,
And I want to know You fully,
Abundantly, Transformationally.
I come as a child. Your word says
I am ready only for milk.
But I ask in Your mercy
To feast at Your table,
To walk in Your way,
To become a true follower
And know the power I have only glimpsed
By having a personal relationship.
Do I dare think of something so great
With the God of the Universe?
May I this day have the privilege
Of full adoption into Your kingdom?
May I, in grateful devotion for all You have done for me,
Call You “Abba, Father” as one of Your children?
I long to know You more fully,
To understand Your mercy and love for me
Even as a sinner, one with no merits,
Except that I believe in Your Son, Jesus Christ’s mission:
That He sacrificed His pure life
For my sins and shortcomings. I come to You.
So bless me, now My God
For I thank those who have become a cloud of witnesses,
Those who have shared You with me,
So that I can fully serve You.,
For I long to give You my all,
Heart, mind, strength, and soul and
To live this life, and eternity, for You.
Teach me to follow, help me arise when I stumble,
And grant me the splendor of Your Presence
When I speak, when I act, when I worship, and when I die,
For I want to live for You in thanksgiving for Jesus’ love
For one such as I. In His Name. Amen.
A career teacher, with forty years of teaching language arts/English, Betty Jackson enjoys wordsmithing, writing, and reading as a vocation and avocation.Retirement is her "age of frosting," a chance to pursue postponed hobbies with gusto. She especially sends kudos to the Space Coast Writers Guild members for their encouragement and advice. Her five books, It's a God Thing!, Job Loss: What's Next? A Step by Step Action Plan, and Bless You Bouquets: A Memoir, And God Chose Joseph: A Christmas Story, and Rocking Chair Porch: Summers at Grandma's are available at Amazon.com. Ms. Jackson is available to speak to local groups and to offer her books at discount for fundraising purposes at her discretion. She and her husband soon celebrate their 47th anniversary, and have lived in New York, New Jersey, Iowa, and now the paradise of Palm Bay, Florida. Their two grown children and daughter-in-love, all orchestra musicians, and our beautiful granddaughters Kaley and Emily live nearby. Hobbies, and probably future topics on her blog: gardening, symphonic music (especially supporting the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra as a volunteer and proud parent of a violinist, a cellist, and an oboist), singing, book clubs, and co-teaching a weekly small-group Bible study for seniors. She volunteers and substitute teaches at Covenant Christian School, and serves as a board member of the Best Yet Set senior group at church. Foundationally, she daily enjoys God's divine appointments called Godincidences, which show God's providence and loving kindness.