A Devotion by Vicki Bentley

Rest

Children are such a picture to me of God’s best. Curled on a chair in the waiting room of the outpatient clinic, a sweet little girl of four or five slept peacefully in the early morning. Her arms and legs were wrapped around her to keep her warm and to help her fit snugly in the small space. She looked like a puppy between her Grandmother and her Grandfather. Neither of them even glanced at the child as one awaited surgery and the other busied himself with papers and books. I watched, wondering what their story might be.

The nurse came out and called the Grandmother in; the Grandfather started to rise and then sat again remembering his charge. The woman looked back as the girl stirred, looking startled. Their eyes met a moment and that was all. She threw her arm out, laying her head on the chair where the woman had just been seated. She closed her eyes with determination. The man quietly looked on.

As I waited for my friend this scene unfolded and I continued to watch thinking, “he should comfort this child. He should do something.” Soon the girl was fully awake. Still there didn’t seem to be any outward bond of affection between these two.

Then the picture became clear. She stood up, went over, and began rummaging through a bag that sat at his feet. He watched, finally reaching in to help find the treasures she sought; her workbook and a fistful of markers. She situated herself next to him again on her chair and set about working. Figuring out each problem, she spoke out loud, having a conversation with herself, loud enough for everyone close to hear. At a certain point, this little dark haired cherub with brown saucer eyes reached over and touched her Grandfather’s arm smiling. He looked up from his book and smiled back.

No words, no embraces, but with one touch and a smile the two showed without question there was love, trust – relationship – a place of safety and peace. Just as quickly she went back to conversation song, working on her important task, and he to his book while they waited with confidence for grandmother to come back “all fixed.”

As I prayed for my friend who was in surgery, I had a confidence that this was a picture of how God cares for us. We are the children who are so busy “working on our tasks.” I think that is why Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Mark that we must have the faith of a little child to enter the kingdom of heaven.

“In quietness and confidence shall be your great strength” Isaiah tells us in chapter 30:15. The nurse appeared again in the door and we all looked up. This time it was time for me to go and see for myself that “everything was all right.” My friend sat in a chair sipping coffee, a big clear patch over her eye. We looked at each other and smiled. God is good!