But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19: 14 KJV
“Did he do that for me”? asked little Dawson, five years old, with his eyebrows.
I am a stepmom, or a bonus mom, as we affectionately prefer to use. Dawson is not my son or my stepson. He is the brother of my bonus daughters and has a set of eyebrows that speak volumes daily.
Our family is blessed to have a beautiful co-parenting relationship and both my husband’s ex-wife and I interact with all the children of our families.
On this day, Dawson and I went to get ice cream and wait for his mom so we could switch out children.
“The Commission” by Cain was playing on the radio when the biggest blue eyes were moved by the spirit on a weekday afternoon in the middle of mundane blended parent life. I proceeded to explain to him that yes, he did that for you, Dawson. The wonder on his face broke my heart and filled it at the same time. He asked a few more questions and I asked him if he knew Jesus and he told me he did.
By the time his mom came, I had tears in my eyes and the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice hit me. I saw Jesus hanging on the cross during this conversation with each of us on his mind. I saw the nails ripping into his skin and the sinful weight on the world weighing on his shoulders. I felt his forgiveness and his love wash over me as I sat in the Food Lion parking lot exhausted from a typical day. I thought about how he leaves the 99 to find the one. His love, a love that pursues, is bigger than our comprehension. Yet, it simple enough for little ones to understand.
With the chaos of adulthood, we often miss the mark. Jesus said for us to have a childlike faith. Oh, how life would be different if we only rested in a faith like Dawson’s. What if we did not question every obstacle we face? What if we did not try to fix every problem ourselves? If only we would rest in his love for us. If only we could sit with Jesus a while and go to him as a little child. After all, he is our father. Have you sat with your father lately?