"Nana, Sing!"

Come near to God and he will come near to you.  James 4:8a (NIV)

Heading to story time, my granddaughter and I had been singing along to “Wheels on the Bus” when our playlist switched to another favorite: “Apples and Bananas.” She knows that it is one of my favorites, but I didn’t start singing right away and just hummed a bit to the music.

“Nana, sing!” she instructed from the backseat. And so I did.

Not many people would ask me to sing. My voice is mediocre at best. But I have sung to her since the day she was born, and we have spent many hours rocking to different songs, including those I made up on the fly. Her two-year-old self doesn’t care that I lack a beautiful singing voice. It only matters that it’s her Nana’s voice.

No matter what kind of day I may be having, the desire my granddaughter has to spend time with me, to hear my voice, or to snuggle in close brings unexplainable joy. 

How much joy do I bring to my Savior when I seek his voice? The God, who is always there for me and tucks me under his wings, enjoys hearing my voice, too, and he desires that I listen for his.

Through reading his word, singing songs of worship and praise, and conversing with him, I develop a familiarity with his voice. The more I know his voice, the more I want to be in his presence. He becomes the one I turn to in both good times and bad because I know he is trustworthy, much like my granddaughter knows that Nana is a safe person to be herself with.

God is safe. 

He is comforting. 

He is forgiving. 

He provides hope. 

He loves unconditionally.

Oh, that I may draw near to my Savior and get excited when I hear his voice!

By Leslie M. Holdegraver