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"God reveals himself to preschoolers" by Melanie Jean Juneau (CatholicMom.com) Fritz von Uhde [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]I learned early in my mothering adventure that God is close to the hearts of little people. Listen to this debate between two of my pre-schoolers.
It was early evening. We often played musical beds at bedtime because the younger children liked the security of a sibling or two falling asleep with them, especially when older brothers and sisters were still up and having fun. So it happened that I was laying down on Emily’s bed nursing an infant while she played with my hair and sucked her thumb. Five-year-old David was almost asleep across the room. His breathing was slow and deep. The only other sound in the peaceful room came from a fan which created just enough white noise to drown out the other kids' voices.

I Think It Was God

David suddenly sat straight up in bed, popped his eyes open and yelled excitedly,“Someone just called my name. I think it was God!” Emily took her thumb out of her mouth and lisped,“Who's God?” I turned my head to look at her and smiled, “You know, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Emily was still puzzled, “You mean the priest at church?” “No,” I responded, “The God who fills the whole universe.” Emily took her thumb out of her mouth and said very dismissively,“Oh, Him. I know Him.” Then she closed her eyes and stuck her thumb back in her mouth. Discussion closed. I barely held in my laughter. This little squirt took for granted her close relationship with the King of  Kings and Lord of Lords. God is close to babies and little children. His relationship with them is not complicated, as natural as breathing. They are simply His children; He loves them and they reflect love back. David interrupted and added joyfully,“Well, He called my name!” Emily opened her eyes and stated very authoritatively but in a nasal, little-girl voice,“It was just your imagination, Daaave.” Then she closed her eyes and started sucking her thumb again. David was upset. I countered her statement, “It could be God, Emily. The Holy Spirit lives in our hearts and does communicate with us.” David was satisfied and he lay back down to sleep. Emily just closed her eyes and popped her thumb back in her mouth. I was astounded, one of my preschoolers had heard the voice of the Almighty and the other took a relation with the Heavenly Father completely in her stride as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

A Deep Connection

I think a deep connection with Christ is not complicated but most adults do not understand the simplicity of God.  God has inscribed His fingerprint on our hearts. It is hidden in our deepest self. Actually, if we can block out our own ego and selfishness, and simply stop long enough to listen, we too can hear the voice of Christ and allow Him to draw us close to His heart. If you are a secret cynic, or simply someone like me who tried to no avail to connect to God in my own strength, why not give God permission to save you from yourself?  Start wasting time on God. Allow yourself to play and even give yourself time to be bored just like a child.
I assure you,” He said, ‘unless you are converted and become like children, you will never get into the kingdom from heaven’ [Matthew 18:4]

Copyright 2018 Melanie Jean Juneau