I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
Psalm 23:4
Carla, came down with a bad sore throat, fever and headache. She lay, snuggled under mounds of blankets, trying to keep warm. Her tender-hearted, two-year-old niece, Kassie, came to visit Grandma that afternoon.
As usual Kassie wondered “Where is Auntie Carla?” Usually I explained to Kassie that Carla was working at her job. But this particular day I shared with her that her Auntie Carla was sick. I told her that Carla was in her bedroom resting. “Would you like to go see her?” I invited Kassie.
She excitedly bustled off to Carla’s room. Kassie wasn’t used to seeing her aunt huddled in a heap on her bed. Carla didn’t meet Kassie with her usual excitement, picking her up and talking all about whatever Kassie wanted to say.
Kassie’s sensitive heart grew quiet and still. Sadly, wringing her hands, she stood in the doorway. In a tiny voice she said to Carla, “Do you want a bear?” Carla couldn’t quite understand what Kassie was asking. She told Kassie to say it again. “Do you want a bear?” Kassie repeated. This exchange was echoed four more times. Finally, giving up, Carla weakly told Kassie, “I don’t know what you’re saying, Honey.”
With that, the burdened little girl went over to a teddy bear sitting on the floor. She picked it up and took it to her aunt. Kassie snuggled the bear up against Carla and soberly left her feverish side.
I enjoyed explaining to Kassie that the little brown teddy bear feels comforting beside a troubled little person or sick elder aunt. But, my prayer is that someday she’ll understand Jesus’ comforting presence is much stronger, more fulfilling and totally complete. Unlike the stuffed tattered toy, the Heavenly Father is alive, He’s real and He’ll never leave her side.
Prayer: Father God, I bless You that at a tiny age, Kassie has a tender heart. Amen.
Is there someone you know today that could use a comforting word?
Additional Ponderings:
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