My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:8
Easter was one of Emily’s favorite holidays. From the time she learned to walk, there had been a family Easter egg hunt in the backyard. After Easter service, Emily, her mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, her aunt and uncle, would all gather in the yard, seeking out the colored plastic eggs that Mom had filled early that morning. Each year, Emily was excited to see the presents inside each egg. Soon, her little brother had come along and joined them in the hunt.
The presents had changed over the years. From candy and stickers to quarters and dollars. But it was always the presents in the eggs that kept Emily searching.
This year would be a little different. There would be one very important person missing at the Easter egg hunt. Emily’s dad had moved out last summer. And although he had been invited, he had declined the annual Easter egg hunt this year. He said he just couldn’t do it.
This was the first year that Emily was helping her mom put the presents in the colorful plastic eggs. She knew that Mom was trying very hard to carry on the Easter tradition. But Emily was very sad. It just wouldn’t be the same this year without Dad. When she was little, he was the one who always gave her a hint where the eggs were so she could scoop them up in her basket. Later, he was the one who always found unlikely hiding places to challenge Emily and her little brother. The presents would still be there, but Dad’s presence wouldn’t.
Emily’s mom could see how down she was so she suggested they stop and have some Easter cookies and milk. As they sat at the table, side by side, Mom drew Emily’s hand into hers and said, “I know how sad it is for you that Dad won’t be here this year. And it’s OK to be sad. I’m a little sad, too. I wish he could be here. But what you need to remember, Emily, is that the Lord loves our family. He loves all of us and He loves your dad, too. We’ve been praying for him to return to the Lord and to his family. And God hears our prayers. He will answer in His way when the time is right, be sure of that.”
The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. Psalm 146:7b-8 (NLT)
In her head, Emily knew that Mom was right. She knew that God hears and answers prayers. She knew that He could work in lives and hearts to change things around. She knew that God could set her dad free. She just wished it could be now.
As they returned to their work, Emily heard in her head something she had learned at Sunday school a few years back. “Seek His presence, not His presents.” She turned that over in her mind as she continued to stuff gifts inside the plastic eggs. “Seek His presence, not His presents.”
And it dawned on her. All these years she had been seeking the Lord’s presents, praying for things she wanted, for things to happen. But what she really needed right now was His presence. His peace, His comfort, His faithfulness. A smile touched the corners of Emily’s lips as she realized… she already had that.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:3-4
God bless,
