"Hold My Face"

"Jacob, Hold my face!" We have done this with all of our children, but Jacob is 2 1/2 so it is most fresh on my mind with him. When we are speaking to our young children and we want their full attention (which is most of the time) we ask them to "hold my face." The reason for them holding our face verses me holding theirs, is an act of submission on their part to my authority. I want eye contact, full attention and a heart of obedience. I know what you are thinking...he is 2...he doesn't get it!! Maybe he does or maybe he doesn't, but it is practicing the discipline of "listening to mommy" with full submission and attention. OK, enough of the technicals!

We have been asking Jacob since he was about 12 months to "hold my face" and now when I say, "Hey Jacob, can I tell you something." He responds with "Yes, Ma'am mommy" as he runs over and puts both hands on my cheeks. I LOVE IT! I don't even have to ask anymore. It is so cute, because he does this with other adults as well. (Some have no idea why this kid is grabbing their face, but he is paying attention.)

I was thinking about this last night after he voluntarily "held my face" and I realized that God desires from us that same act of heart submission. Sometimes God holds my face and he gets my attention. Sometimes he forces me to place my attention on Him. This is usually not a pleasent encounter, but more an act of discipline. However, when I run to Him and say "Yes, Sir, Abba, Father, Daddy, God" and I "Hold His face" and I submit ALL of my attention to Him and what He has to say, I leave having experienced a precious time with my Father. Sometimes I can be an active, distracted, disobedient child. I desire to have a heart that is submissive and obedient to my Savior. I desire to be a child that honors, respects and brings my Savior joy as He delights in my obedience. I pray that I will run to Him, that I will dwell with FULL attention is His presence so that my Father does not have to say..."HOLD MY FACE."

I Chronicles 16:11 "Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."

Psalm 27:8 "My heart says of you 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek."