It may be summer now, but a few months ago we had an ice storm in Cincinnati. Schools were closed and I found myself at home with our four-year-old for the day (or, should I say he found himself at home with me since I work from home several days a week). 

If you’re a mother (or have been around a toddler for any amount of time), you probably know what I’m going to share next. 

“Graham, I’m going to make my tea and do some work on the computer for a little bit. Can you please do something quiet like color a picture or build one of your legos?”

To my surprise, he does just that.

… except that within five minutes, things changed. 

“Mommy, can I watch something?”

“Not right now.”

One minute later: “Mommy? I’m hungry.” (The child had been fed a large breakfast 30 minutes prior, mind you.)

Two minutes later: “Mommy! Look at this!” (Child proceeds to hold up his stretched-across-the-room slinky.)

Four minutes after that: “Mommy? Did you know that penguins live in Antarctica?”

You get the idea of how the rest of the day went. Needless to say, we stayed cozy and safe inside … and not much writing got done on my part.

With this constant barrage of badgering (I say lovingly), it made me wonder if I ever sound like that to the Lord. Does He ever tire of hearing my voice, my requests, my needs? 

While we might begin to grow weary after hearing an onslaught of whines, questions and demands from our little ones, our Heavenly Father never does with us. He wants to hear our every thought and welcomes it. 

“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when those risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at at the last day.” – Alma 37:37

“ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” – Matthew 7:7

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thesalonians 5:17

To Him, our voice is the most wonderful sound that exists. While we may be quick to nudge our children away or give them a distraction, He does the opposite. He encourages us to come to Him. 

Is it wrong of me as a mother to desire a little break from the line of questioning and need for the 12th snack of the morning? I don’t think so. I’m human, after all. But, can I look at things from Graham’s perspective a little more often? That I can do. He’s merely making it known what is on his mind—boredom, hunger, knowledge to share. As his mother, he expects me to listen.

The difference between me and the Lord is that He never needs a break from us. He sits on the edge of His throne, waiting for us to share about our day, our fears, our needs, our gratefulness. 

That’s why He is our perfect father. 

And why I thanked Him for the ice melting 😉

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.