Playing Peekaboo with God

Today, I sat in my office at church pondering how to move people into a deeper relationship with God and others. Praying things that are on the heart of Connection Pastors everywhere. Then my almost two-year-old son started to get a bit fussy. And instead of sitting at my desk praying about what was on my heart, I moved to the floor to play peekaboo with Henry and was still praying because I am a multitasking ninja. And then God taught me something. 

As I sat playing peekaboo with Henry I noticed that he started copying me. He was laughing. He was trying to make me laugh, as well. In the spending of time and intentional one-on-one time he started to reflect what I was doing. When I would cover my eyes he would cover his eyes. And when I said peek he took one hand off one eye just like mommy and when I said boo he acted suprised just like mommy and then I would tickle him and we would laugh and laugh. We did this over and over again until he now knew what to expect from me and the game. He came to a place where he knew what I was going to do next. This game ended by Henry laying his head on my chest and giving me the best hug in the world. 

We played peekaboo. In the playing of peekaboo our relationship grew even though I didn't tell him anything, I simply spent time with him. I think God wants to spend that time with us... but sometimes we are the toddler that doesn't want to play peekaboo with him and we go off and keep being fussy or busy with other things. I keep thinking if people knew more about God they wouldn't act the way they do. They would be able to love like Him if they knew how he loves. Now, don't get me wrong we can learn about God in that manner and by reading the Bible but the power isn't in what we know but in who we know. 

During peekaboo, Henry began to copy me. He began to guess and know what I was going to do before I did it. He knew what it meant when I was covering my eyes, saying "peek" and saying "boo." There was no biblical exchange or deep conversation covered there was simply being with eachother and the relationship grew. I want to play "peekaboo" with God. I want my congregation to play "peekaboo" with God. I want us to be able to copy Him, to know Him, and to enjoy Him. 

Immediately after playing peekaboo with Henry he fell and hit his head on the floor. He instantly came to me for comfort to hold him and to care for him. He also then started to do the same thing that made him fall and hit his head (climbing... boys!) and I corrected him. He listened to my correction. From peekaboo, to caring for an owie, to taking correction was all done in the same 15 minute time span. And oh! the lesson this momma learned. The time spent in joy allowed the time of comfort and it also allowed him to be willing to trust my correction. 

Lord, that is the kind of relationship that I want to see the people you placed in my care in with you. That is the prayer of my heart! May they be willing and intentionally spending time with you, going to you in need, and taking correction! A deeper relationship with God is that simple. Being intentional and spending time.

Thank you Lord for teaching me through Henry today!  

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