Need

My toddler's new favorite phrase is "Mommy I need you!" with the middle "e" sound especially drawn out for effect.

He sounds so pitiful when he says it, that at first I would respond immediately whenever I heard it. And I wanted him to know I was there for him in his time of need.

But then I began to notice that the times he used that phrase were usually the times he really didn't need my attention, like when his daddy had put him in time-out and he began yelling, "MOMMY I NEEEEEED YOU!"

He did not need me at that moment. What he needed was to serve his 2 minute time-out and perhaps dwell on the fact that throwing toys does not lead to fun consequences.

I also noticed that the times he really did need me he did not say, "Mommy I need you!" Like right before he fell off the back of the couch or hit his sister or began applying my makeup.

And it all got me thinking how often I don't call on God when I should, how often the things I think I need His help with are really not the important things at all.

I know I've prayed for God to rescue me from a "time-out" or two in my life.

Thankfully, Matt 6:8 says, ". . .your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him."

"Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need." Heb 4:16

Find more Thankful Thursday here.