Today’s Daily Bread ~ Recognizable

Psalm 28:7 – The LORD is my strength, my shield from every danger.  I trust in Him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

We have a steadfast rule in the Carrell house: Caitlyn and Nick must put away toys before pulling out a game or a new toy.  Hence, if my son is working on a puzzle and suddenly wants to play with blocks, he must box up said puzzle before playing with said blocks.

With my daughter, it’s a bit more complicated.  Nick plays with one toy, then moves onto another one.  Caitlyn starts to play with a toy, and the game escalates.  She might pretend that she is the mommy and two of her dolls are her babies.  Then, the dolls are joined by the rest of her dolls.  Then the stuffed animals are brought in.  Then, every stuffed animal needs a blankie and a book.  Before you know it, her entire bedroom has been picked up and carted downstairs, and my husband’s study is transformed into a visual cacophony of babies, bears, books, and blankets.

While I’m likely to let the game play itself out, the rule goes into effect immediately if we’ve got places to be or errands to run.  I can’t stand is to come home to a messy house.

Not long ago, I found myself immersed in writing while the kids played happily in the other room.  Glancing at the clock, I noted that we had about 20 minutes before we had to leave for Nick’s therapy appointment.  Perfect, I thought to myself.  “Come on, kids,” I hollered cheerfully, “Pick up your toys so we can go!”

 I darted upstairs, changed clothes, and raced back down.  Rounding the corner, I sighed as I viewed the destruction.  “Caitlyn, Nicholas,” I said in my best disapproving mommy tone, “I need for you to pick up your toys.”

Nick went to work carefully picking up puzzle pieces one by one and placing them in the box while my daughter looked at me like I’d asked her to swallow nuclear waste.

“Mommy!” she exclaimed, “Nicky has to help me!” 

“Caitlyn,” I replied, “that’s your mess.  Now pick up your dolls and books and put them away so we can leave.”

“How do you know that’s my mess!” she yelled.  “Make Nicky help me!”

I knelt down to her level.  “Caitlyn,” I said in a quiet but threatening voice, “You get one more chance to pick up your toys before I do.  And if I pick them up, I keep them.”

“Fine!  But you weren’t even here!  You don’t even know if I was playing with them!”

I smiled to myself, amused at her attempt to skirt her duties.  I had heard Nick singing softly to himself while he worked on his puzzle in the other room.  I know my daughter and how she plays.  I didn’t need to guess whether or not it was Caitlyn’s handiwork.  I simply recognized it.

Psalm 19:1-3a – The heavens tell of the glory of God.  The skies display His marvelous craftsmanship.  Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known.  They speak without a sound or a word; their message has gone out to all the earth and their words to all the world.

A friend of mine has an autistic niece.  The child is non-verbal, but those that know her well can tell you exactly what she wants.  Words aren’t necessary.  Why?  Because they know her.  They recognize her signs and signals.  They read her expressions.  They understand her tone.

The more we seek God, the more He reveals Himself to us.  He wants to be known.  He craves your affections.  He sings to you through the chirping birds.  He whispers to you in the cool morning breeze.  He splashes soft pastels across the canvas of the evening sky.  As the sun retreats, brilliant stars appear, each beckoning you to cast your gaze heavenward.  Follow me, He coaxes.

Psalm 19:7-8 – The law of the LORD is perfect; reviving the soul.  The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart.  The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight to life.

He promises water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry and rest for the weary.  He guides those who follow.  He answers those who call on Him.  But if we aren’t actively seeking Him, we may not recognize Him when He reveals Himself.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making Yourself known to us.  Help us to remember that You are always with us, whether we feel Your Presence or not.  Remind us of this: If we haven’t seen Your handiwork in some time, perhaps we aren’t looking for it.  In order to recognize You, we need to know You.  In order to know You, we must read our Bibles, spend time with other Christians and come to You in prayer and worship.  Please help us to place You higher on our priority list.  We want to know You more.  We want to see You everywhere we look.  We want You to fill us, and we want to be beacons of Your light.  Help us shine for You.  Help us love like You love.  Help us to be Your hands and feet.  We confess that without You we can do none of these things.  We remember that without the saving grace of Your Son, our best deeds are but filthy rags to You (Isaiah 64:6).  We thank You for Jesus and the work of the cross.  It is in His beautiful, holy name that we pray.  Amen.