In the Father’s Presence

I’ve been watching Enoch lately. At two years old, he is in that imitation stage. He imitates actions, words, intonations, and, from his momma, facial expressions. But, I have noticed something else. As much as I have seen ways that he imitates me, it is nothing like his interaction with his daddy.

Recently, I have noticed that he simply wants to be with his father, doing whatever he does. If it is building a bookshelf, Enoch grabs his tool chest, and comes right alongside to "help Daddy". If Reggie sits backwards on a chair, Enoch does it. He imitates everything – how daddy eats, what daddy drinks (“Enoch make coffee too”), and how daddy helps others. When he is disciplined by either of us, or simply not happy about a situation, he can be heard wailing, “Daaa-ddy”.  He loves his father, and knows that his father loves him. So, he wants to be like him, and wants to be with him – even in the face of discomfort.

The most eye-opening experience occurred this past Tuesday. Enoch has been having difficulty sleeping thru the night for about a week, waking up screaming and/or crying at least twice. Tuesday night, Reggie decided to sit in the chair in Enoch’s room. Just until he fell asleep. Enoch slept thru the night. Not a sound. Just the comfort of falling asleep in his daddy’s presence gave him peace.

I long to be like Enoch. To love the Father so much that I strive to imitate Him in every way. Even when it seems impossible. I long to be so attentive to what God is doing, that without question, I jump in, because I have already settled in my mind that if Daddy is doing it, it must be good. I long to learn to cry out for “Daddy”, even when He disciplines me, because I know it is because He loves me and He can rescue me. I long to be able to rest. To be at peace simply because I know that Daddy is with me.

 

This week, I am drawn to this psalm 

Psalm 84

"How lovely is your dwelling place,
 Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; 
my heart and my flesh cry out 
for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,
 and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young

—
  place near your altar,
 Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
 they are ever praising you.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, 
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty listen to me, God of Jacob.

Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; 
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God 
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; 
no good thing does He withhold 
from those whose walk is blameless. Lord Almighty, 
blessed is the one who trusts in you."

Resting in His Presence,

Kim