Kallie had planned to stay all week.  For three days my seven-year old vivacious granddaughter and I played every game imaginable.  We ended up “playing school” every day.  Kallie, “always the teacher,” dictated many assignments.  I could never make above a “C” on my papers.  I complained and asked Kallie why.  She responded, “Because you didn’t use your imagination!”

At bedtime we read a story about doing the right thing in the face of opposition

and persecution.  Kallie exclaimed many times during the story, “Mawmaw, that takes real courage!”

            Kallie taught me a lot in just three days.  On the fourth day she began to get homesick.  She missed her daddy.  She longed to be swept up in her daddy’s strong arms and longed for the security of his presence.  Just having her daddy near gave her peace and assurance.  She called her daddy and when she heard his voice on the phone she burst with enthusiasm, saying, “I love you, Daddy!”

            Lane, living in Amarillo, met us at Hereford.  She ran to his arms with great excitement.  Being in his presence made everything right.

            I’ve discovered if I do not spend daily time with my “Father,” my day does not go as well.  Sad to say, I sometimes allow the pressures of life to take precedent over my quiet time.  I find I am in a state of unrest.  Being too busy for meditation and prayer time robs me of many blessings.  I feel a void…that something is missing.  An absence of time spent with the Father finds me trying to solve problems on my own and I am not successful.  Stress can overcome me and I need to read Psalm 55:22 again: “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you, he will never let the righteous fall”  (NIV).

            I can fight and struggle in my daily life and wear myself out.  That can lead to disease and illness.

            So I offer five steps to help all of us “de-stress” from the problems of life:

1.      Trust in the Lord.   (Proverbs 3:5 NCV).

2.      Delight Yourselves in the Lord.   (Psalm 37:4 NIV).

3.      Commit Your Way Unto the Lord.   (Psalm 37:5 NCV).

4.      Rest in the Lord.”   (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

5.      Wait for the Lord’s Help and Follow Him.   (Psalm 37:34 NCV).

I heard a story about a little girl crossing the Atlantic for the first time on an

airliner.  During the night the plane hit some turbulence.  The flight attendant awakened the little girl and told her to fasten her seatbelt because of the bad storm.  The little girl opened her eyes, saw the lightning flashing around and asked, “Is my daddy at the controls?”  The attendant said, “Yes your father is in the cockpit.  The little girl smiled, closed her eyes and went peacefully back to sleep.  Our heavenly Father is in control.  He is the pilot of our lives. 

Like my Kallie, I yearn for my heavenly Father.  I long to be in his presence and

hear his voice.  How this simplifies my life.  With God I can live one day at a time, enjoying each moment.  I need God’s wisdom in every part of my life.  In his presence I acknowledge him in all my ways, finding forgiveness, healing, unconditional love and peace.

Yes, Kallie taught me much more than “playing school.”  Childlike faith is of the Kingdom.   She reminded me of how much I love my heavenly Father, longing for the security of his presence.  I long to be swept up in his mighty strong arms.  Just knowing he is right beside me makes everything all right in my world.

            Like my Kallie, I run to my Father bursting with enthusiasm and love!