Presence is Better than Presents
“Did you get the presents for my birthday yet?” Even before, “Hello” or “Good Morning,” this is the question with which my youngest child greeted me moments after springing from her bed earlier this week. Never missing an opportunity to meet audacious questions with silly answers, my response was, “You always have my presence!” “Dad!” she replied in confused tone, “You know what I mean!” After a few minutes of circular exchange, I said simply, “Sweetheart, presence is always better than presents.”
For the record, of course we got presents for our child’s birthday, but as I’ve reflected on this playful conversation this week, I’m struck by how often I have the heart of a soon-to-be six-year-old child, as I think about and communicate with God in prayer.