I know I forget this a lot...but, I am a CHILD of God. I'm not an adult yet (that'll come in the eternities). For now I am learning, growing, and changing every day. I see that more and more as Thomas gets older.
A child. Sweet, precious, loving, trusting. That is what we are (and should be). We are dear and precious to our Father in Heaven. He loves us like only a parent could.
Children also make mistakes. Thomas has been learning how to walk the past few weeks and that has been so inspirational. Every time he falls down he struggles and strains until he's standing back up on his feet. More often than not he'll immediately fall back down and start the process over. Oh the things I learn from him! When I make a mistake and get frustrated, tired, overwhelmed, or anything like that I can stop and pick myself up again. And if I make the same mistakes again, I can pick myself up again and again and again.
Sometimes walking is REALLY hard and my little Scooter gets tired of trying. That's when he reaches his pudgy little hand up to Steve and me looking for assistance. We naturally hurry over and help him back up on his feet. Sometimes that's how I am too. I say, "Heavenly Father, I have knocked myself over on my tuffet one too many times today and I don't think I can get up anymore." That's when He helps me out.
In the book
Believing Christ by Stephen E. Robinson (those of who you attended LDS seminary may remember the video about the little girl who wants to buy a bike but doesn't have enough money...that's this guy) he talks about God's love and mercy to us, His children. He says, "Like our Heavenly Father, most parents are predisposed positively toward their children even before the child does anything to return the favor. Even when all the child can do is cry and wet its pants, even then it can usually draw on a vast reservoir of parental love and care and concern...God loved us even before we had the ability to love him back, let alone 'earn' his love with good behavior."
Isn't that wonderful? He loves us even when we symbolically cry and wet our pants! He will always love us and put the things that our best for us in our lives. It is our choices that push us away from Him and His love (like a rebellious, cranky child). He even loves when we are terrible at showing how much we love Him. Just because Thomas screams and throws a fit doesn't lessen my love for him. It's the same.
Next time you look at a sleeping baby or child and feel that calm happiness that comes with love and joy, remember that that same feeling is what our God feels for us ALL the time.
