“Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!” (Psalm 102:2 ESV)
The noise of celebration filled the church gymnasium. It was a friendly crowd. A wedding banquet had just occurred, and the place was filled with friends and family celebrating the marriage of a beloved couple. Loud talking and joyous laughter echoed. Hundreds of people were packed into the large room, all sitting comfortably around candlelit tables or standing talking together. The bride and groom were preparing to leave. It had been a long and happy day.
In one corner of the gymnasium several small cousins clustered around the coffee table, serving themselves Styrofoam-cup coffee. An older cousin was helping three-year-old Daniel load his small serving of coffee with numerous sugar packets and fancy creamers—café mocha, toddler style. Church kids like fancy church coffee.
Their parents were all nearby, enjoying one another’s company. The party was winding down. Suddenly, Daniel turned around, eyes wide.
“Daddy!” he yelled frantically, coffee forgotten. “Where are you?”
He listened a moment. Only talking, laughter, and noise of the party reached his ears. No Daddy.
“Daddy!” he called louder.
“Daniel!” boomed the loud response from the far side of the wide gymnasium. “I’m here, Buddy!”
Unable to see his father from his vantage so near the floor, Daniel took off like a shot, following his daddy’s voice, aiming that direction, bypassing groups of towering people, circling crowded tables. Halfway toward his goal, attempting to get his bearings, Daniel paused. He still couldn’t see his father.
“Daddy!”
“Here, Buddy!”
Daniel adjusted his trajectory. All the way across the gymnasium, the little guy ran. When he arrived at his destination, his daddy scooped him up for a big hug. Having secured that hug, a happy smile now in place, Daniel ran back through the crowd, weaving his way back to the coffee table, where he calmly finished preparing his beverage.
I was one of very few people who witnessed this small, endearing, domestic event.
Daniel’s father was able to detect his little son’s voice amid noisy merrymaking, even though they couldn’t see one another. No other person in the room even acted as if they’d heard Daniel’s voice. Nothing changed about the revelry of the partygoers. But Daniel’s father caught that desperate cry from a small voice in a crowded room filled with lively celebration.
Immediately to my mind came the solid fact of God the Father’s attentive ear, awaiting our call, recognizing our voice when we cry out to Him, always listening, no matter the hubbub surrounding us. It was a vivid picture. With focused attention, God is watching and waiting. He always hears us, even when we cannot hear Him. We are never lost. All we have to do is cry out.
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18 ESV). “In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me” (Psalm 86:7 ESV).
Have you cried out to Him recently?
Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos, smallest size format.
Aww, this is a really sweet story. And so true. Brings to mind that BIble verse, …about the sheep knowing my voice…Good stuff!
It was a touching moment. I was glad I was standing by the coffee table. I watched it all play out. It was precious! He knows his sheep, and we know his voice. So true, Holly.
It was a touching moment. I was glad I was standing by the coffee table and could glimpse this entire scenario. I stood there and watched it all play out. It was precious! He knows his sheep, and we know his voice. So true, Holly.
Love this!
Glad you like it. I’m glad I was right in that spot. 🙂
Oh to be able to call out to our Abba, “Papa, where are You”? How precious the assurance that He is always within earshot of His children! There’s NO Daddy like our Daddy:)!!!!
Isn’t that a blessing and a relief!
I’m reading a new book by Paul E. Miller called A Praying Life. This reminded me of one of the points he was making in the book. I think this book is going to change my prayer life considerably!
It’s a blessing to have such a Father, who hears our smallest heart whisper. Daniel and his dad gave a vivid illustration.
I do love that illustration! When we are anxious, we are disconnected from our Father and a whipping around like a broken electric line in the wind damaging everyone we come in contact with! Oh, to be in continuous contact with our Daddy, praying without ceasing!
Oh, yes! What would I do without my Daddy God being there always, because this scene describes my life constantly! Just to run to my Daddy is all I need and to know that He is the only one whom I have to please!!! He’s the only One who understands, who comforts, who encourages, who is my Peace, who is my Joy, who is the Love that fills my heart!!! I love him SO MUCH!!! Thank you, Jesus, for making this precious relationship possible!
Amen and amen!