So I was working on my post — a complicated, truth wrestling post — choosing the strongest words to capture a period of discouragement I recently experienced. You being able to resonate from my drowning in darkness was my hope. Then I was going to transition into the personal revelation that lifted me. That precision hook was going to lead you to the deep theological truth of how God is working things out for our good. I probably was going to quote John Piper or some other Christian doctrine heavyweight.
In the middle of my writing, my office door bursts open. My five-year-old daughter in pajamas asks, “Daddy, whaaaaaaattttttcha doing?” Fighting back the “what does it look like” reply. I lower my headphones, and pull my “helper” chair up close for her to sit by me. After asking who the bobble-heads on my desk are again for the thousandth time, she asks me to read her what I have written. So I read her my attempt to describe the depths of discouragement.
Without skipping a beat, she tells me, “Tell them God helps us have joy. He is powerful.” That being too simple for what I desired to express, I tell her she can help me by listening to my headphones while I — the theologian — write the post.
My ploy didn’t silence her suggestions. She continued, “Daddy tell them, God is the One with the power, the Devil just has a little power.” And she didn’t stop, but said, “God helps us. He helps us all day — through school and all along and everywhere.”
She’s right.
This powerful God who helps, saves, and gives joy is on our team. He is on your team.
My daughter thought it would be silly that anyone would be down when they knew Jesus. She couldn’t understand for “God helps us have joy.”
I don’t know about you, but it’s hard to argue with that — a childlike faith, taking God at His every word.
