A little boy was in the constant habit of coming to his father’s study whenever he wanted anything. If he wanted his pencil sharpened or a sheet of paper or a picture book, his gentle tap was sure to be heard at the study door.
The father always attended to his little boy, who was always sure to find a willing ear and a ready hand. The father acted not merely from affection, but also from principle. He felt his child should always find in the parent, rather than anyone else, one ready to meet his little wants.
One day the father was busy in his study when he heard the well-known tap at the door. “Come in,” he said, and the child entered. “Well my little man, what do you want now?” “Notin’ papa; I only ’ant to be wit’ ’on.” And he made his way to a seat in the room and remained quietly alone with his father.
Do we ever go to our Father when we do not want anything? Do we go to Him simply for the pleasure of being alone with Him? He never reproves us for coming too often never says, “Go away, I cannot attend to you now.” He loves to have us near Him and He delights to hear us telling out all our need into His gracious and ever-open ear. But do we ever go and lie at His feet in the calm, satisfied condition of one who finds all the deep longings of the soul met in the simple fact of being near Him? Oh that it may be so!
Things New & Old, Vol. 14