David's mouth spread wide in a toothy grin.
“Let us close our eyes and bow our heads.” He stuttered out, excitement still spread across his sweet little face. He began to slur through a short prayer. Simple. Beautiful.
“Amen!” He slid his Bible in excitement to one of the girls, flipping through the pages to Psalms. He points to Psalm 139, and begins to sing a song.
“This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made. That the Lord has made. I will rejoice, I will rejoice, and be glad in it. And be glad in it!”
It is difficult to describe in words the look that was on David's face in that moment. Pure joy would be the closest description. He points to the Bible again, and Psalm 139 is read aloud.
“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. You hem me in- behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from you Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
I glance up at David's face again. It is like a magnet for my eyes. I am mesmerized at his simple, pure, draw to the Father. He understands the love of the Father. His eyes are filled with joy. He looks at me, and at another team mate. Back and forth. Then he parts his mouth and speaks something that touches my heart to the core.
“Jesus loves me.” He looks back and forth between us again, and at the Bible. “Jesus loves me.” He repeats again.
I could cry out of joy at the declaration from this little boy, David. This precious child who seeks after the heart of God.
“Yes, David. Jesus does love you. He loves you so much!”
This led to the outburst of another song, breaking from David’s mouth like the song of an angel.
“Jesus loves me, this I know! For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”
David gets it. He is looking into the heart of his Father, and knows that he is loved. Little David is probably only about six years old. Every time I see him, he is full of joy. His smile literally takes up half of his face, and I love it. It is a smile full of freedom. His eyes are like eyes of an angel.
When he throws his arms around my neck, it is like receiving a hug from my Father. It's a special touch straight to the heart. David sees through angel eyes. He knows the love, and he shares the joy.
I pray for a heart as open as David's. After he finishes “Jesus Loves Me,” he sang “This is the Day,” one more time, and prayed again.
Oh to have the heart of a child. Faith like a child.
May my heart be like little David's. May I remember my Father's love, and share that love and joy with the world.
Thank you, David. Thank you for letting me see through your angel eyes.
