When My Daughter Thanked God for "Just a Minute"

I’ll never forget the night when my daughter was little, and I asked her what she wanted to tell God she was thankful for.

She thought for a moment, looked at me with her big brown eyes and said, “Mom, I want to thank God for ‘just a minute.'"

“What do you mean?” I asked.

She explained, “When I call for you and you say ‘just a minute’… well, I want to thank God for that because I know you’ve heard me, and you’ll come soon.”

I loved that moment!

Not only was this a precious moment with my daughter, but it was an invaluable reminder to me of our heavenly Father and His nearness and care.

Of course, God is not just a minute away. Psalm 46 says He is a "refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

A very present help!

Why is this so important? I'm convinced that so much of our anxiety, fatigue, and frustration stems from the fact that we have forgotten the nearness of God.

It is the deception of the enemy to have us believe that God is a distant, impersonal, and harsh being who is untouchable and unreachable.

But the Psalmist says God is “near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

Where you are right now is not a surprise to God -- what you’re going through, the news you just heard, the conversation you just had, the struggle you’re experiencing, the sorrow of your soul. But the good news is, He is with you!

So today, ask yourself. How do I perceive the nearness of God? How do I perceive the kindness of God? Is He far away in heaven? Busy with something else? or is He right here to help?

Wherever you are, whatever you’ve been through, let these words wash over your heart and give you peace: God is with you! 💕