He sat quietly on his grandmother’s lap, quite an accomplishment for a two-year-old.
While leafing through one of his favorite books, the little boy munched on snacks to help keep him still. Occasionally, he glanced at his parents and others around him. If they looked his way, he granted them a toothy smile.
Meanwhile, the pastor challenged his attentive congregation. Although fervently committed to God, the worshipers seldom displayed any outward enthusiasm. Rather, like the two-year-old, they sat quietly and listened. The young pastor suddenly interrupted his sermon with an observation generations old, “It never hurts to say ‘Amen’ now and then,” and then proceeded with the message.
Soon after, following a brief pause in the pastor’s comments, the small boy looked up and with gusto lifted a loud “Men!” Nanny couldn’t have been more tickled. She was proud of her little man for listening and responding. Nevertheless, she had to fight with everything in her to keep from laughing aloud. The rest of the congregation lost their restraint and enjoyed the moment for all it was worth.
If only we opened ourselves as willingly as this little guy when God speaks. Rather than sitting unresponsively on life’s sidelines, I could listen for God’s call and act accordingly. We could get excited about the possibility of following divine direction and look for opportunities to move from the pew to the public.
With the enthusiasm and determination of a two-year-old, let’s say, “Yes, Lord, we agree with You. Your will be done.”
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Diana Derringer is author of Beyond Bethlehem and Calvary: 12 Dramas for Christmas, Easter, and More! She writes for several publications and enjoys traveling with her husband and serving as a friendship family to international university students. She offers life lessons from English expressions at dianaderringer.com.