During my childhood, one of my most memorable times was during the long, hot days of summer. Each evening, the neighborhood kids and I returned to the outdoors after dinner for one last game. At dusk, we would meet at the dead-end street to play “Hide and Seek.”
This was a very serious game. The goal was to hide from your seeker until it was safe to run for home base without being seen and tagged out. That is why we played under the cover of twilight. The darkness of night kept you concealed as you dashed from object to object until finally you made it to home base unseen.
Those were the good ole days when I was young enough to still enjoy the game, but old enough to play with the cleverness that it took to keep from being found.
As I recall, it was my dad who first introduced me to the game of “Hide and Seek.” Although, my father and I played the game differently than the neighborhood kids did.
When dad would hide, he would often leave clues on purpose so I could find him. Sometimes, I would spy his wiggling toes sticking out from under the living room curtains. Others times, I noticed a lampshade sitting atop a very large stand in the shape of his silhouette, or I would hear noises coming from behind the couch. For dad and I the game was not about staying hid. It was about a developing a trusting relationship.
Our reunion brought joy, laughter, and sometimes tickling. Mostly, it taught me that whenever I needed my Dad, he could always be found.
I think the same is true with our heavenly Father. Continue reading →