Dearest Children, God Is Near You

How far back can you remember?  What are some of your earliest recollections?  To this day every time I open a box of crayons the smell carries me back in time to my grandparent’s house.  I am under the dining room table with my sisters and we are coloring away in our Bozo the Clown and Tom & Jerry coloring books. 

When I was young, if my mom was looking for me, she would often find me up a tree.  I got to where I could climb the tree in our front yard without even thinking.  I had to jump up with both hands and catch the lowest limb.  Then I’d throw one leg around that limb and with my other shin pushed up against the trunk, I would shift my hand to a higher branch, flip myself up and disappear into the leaves. My siblings and I spent hours up there.  It was so relaxing and freeing.  The tree became like an old friend. We got so fast it seemed like we could almost fly up it.   

I remember family visits to see my great-grandmother, Ida Rose.  I’m not sure, but I’d like to think that I stopped to hug her before making a beeline to the candy dish on her TV.  It was always filled to overflowing with white mint candies with green centers.  I loved them.

This arrangement of Dearest Children, God Is Near You is for my second grandchild, Seth Morton Hutchings. 

He turned two this month.  He is SO MUCH FUN!!!  He loves playing ball and learning to swim.  He tries to keep up with his big brother and thinks he can do anything Josh can do. His smile is contagious. He’s so lovable and he helps me remember what it was like to be a child discovering the joy in each new day.

God loves us more than we can imagine.  In Matthew 18:4 we are told that whosoever shall humble himself as a little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  I believe it.  When I am around Seth I feel close to heaven.  He is filled with a sweet innocence that makes me wish I could freeze time and hold onto him for just a little while longer. 

Click HERE to download free sheet music - For Piano