Our house is operating on a "no vacancy" basis these days. Our son, his wife, and our granddaughter are moving into our home because they are in the process of selling their house. Needless to say, adjustments are having to be made. We're making room for their essentials, packing up some of our non-essentials to free up space, navigating how to share the rooms, deciding who is responsible for what household tasks, and trying our best to be patient and gracious with each other.
My son and I both work full-time, so we're away from the house more than we are home, but that leaves my daughter-in-law, my granddaughter (Bella), and my husband to spend our workdays there without us.
Now you have to understand that of the four adults in the household, my husband is Bella's favorite. She absolutely loves her Papaw. I know she loves her mother too, but if we'd let her, she'd spend most of her waking moments back in our bedroom, watching "Bella shows" with her Papaw.
Paul also loves her very much, but he is accustomed to having his entire day to himself. He spends 90% of it in our room where he has a television, a tablet, his books, a bathroom, and a comfortable recliner. He only has to come out into the rest of the house when he needs food. So, his days of quiet reading, watching war movies, napping at will, and doing what he pleases have effectively ended.
In an effort to make sure he doesn't start a mutiny in the house, I have devised a plan. Since Bella has started sitting front-facing in her car seat, we've been teaching her what the red and green lights on the stop signals mean. She will watch for them and will give the current driver of the van directions on what to do when she sees them. So my brilliant idea was to tape a piece of either green or red paper on the bedroom door to signal to Bella whether she was free to knock on the door to get her Papaw's attention or whether she should stay in the living room with her mother. So far, it's working. She caught onto the concept pretty quickly. The first morning the system went into effect, she stood in the hallway and yelled, "Papaw, is it red?"
I absolutely do not blame Paul for needing that "alone" time. There are times that I need a "Bella break" myself. However, it made me think today how thankful I am that our heavenly Father never puts up a "do not disturb" sign that keeps us away from Him. He is always and instantly available to us, even if we are not on our best behavior or are there asking Him the same "why" question for the fifteenth time. He is endlessly patient in a way that we as human beings have a difficult time emulating.
Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble." That sounds like a father who is there for us without hesitation. There is no waiting area outside His throne room.
Psalm 125:18-19 tells us that " The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and save them." Our Abba is not far away and available by appointment only. In the uncertain times that the world is experiencing right now, He is not silent, He is not absent. He is as close to you as the air you breathe. He knows, He cares, and He's never too preoccupied to listen to what is on your heart. Don't forget to take advantage of that constant green light.
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