Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:13-14 (NKJV)
My wife and I used to teach Sunday School at a shelter for abused, neglected or abandoned children. One particular morning we encountered a sparkly eyed five-year-old with a perpetual grin.
When we started the Bible story, about Jesus and the little children, she seemed particularly attentive. So I asked her, “Have you heard about Jesus?” She said no. Still sensing a connection, I gently probed, “Have you heard about God?” “Oh, I know God,” she said. “We take naps together!”
I said something like, “Oh, you do?!” and then continued with the story. But the rest of the day I tried to wrap my mind around what this sweet little girl said about God–“We take naps together!”
I pictured a home, chaotic and out of control; a prison where a frightened little girl tried to escape the negligent adults who were her “caregivers”. She’s hiding in a closet (or lying UNDER her bed) sobbing inconsolably, but then God Himself comes and comforts her until she falls asleep. And THIS is what she calls, “Taking naps with God.”
The miracle of God’s little slumber party friend was still on my heart when I said my prayers that evening. I started by thanking Him for looking out for her and for letting me in on the secret, but then I just couldn’t hold it:
“God, do you take naps with big people?”
This story was originally published on Sept 3, 2018–when I had exactly 14 followers.😀
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
36 responses to “The Little Girl and God”
Thanks, Peter. Over the years I’ve taught in schools that had many at risk students who lived in poverty. Love (persistent and patient) was what they responded to best. Blessings!
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Such a beautiful story. It touched my heart because several of our adopted grandchildren came from similar backgrounds. I have found that with lots of love, patience and persistence building us together as a family is both possible and an adventure!
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Sad to hear that about the lost of funding
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There were many fine dedicated workers at the shelter—most of whom were committed Christians. In the end, they lost their funding from the United Way and had to close their doors.
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I hope and pray God gives much great reward to those who runned the shelter and also those involved and helped such as you and your wife
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The shelter was designed to look and feel like a home. Most of the children were happy to be there—once they realized it was a safe place where they would not be abused or neglected.
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I see. I can’t imagine doing such a ministry it would be too much for me with kids being hurt.
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Thank you. The shelter closed a few years ago, so we are no longer involved in this ministry.
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God bless you with doing that ministry
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Yes, it was, brother! Thank you.
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What a ministry that must have been at the shelter
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What a comforting thought 😁
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Oh, that’s right. God doesn’t sleep, but He still joins us for a nap! Thanks, Brenda. I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment on my blog. Blessings.
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Oh wow! Well, thank you. Have a great weekend!
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😂😂😂 what a wonderful, comforting, testimony. Although our God does not slumber nor sleep, it’s good to know that He’s there when I take my nap 💤
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Agreed! I love your Christmas thought—“God with us.” This could cover naps, walks, doing our jobs and doing other every day things with Jesus by our side. Thank you for your thoughts.
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As a big person, I found myself comforted by God this summer, when a friend called and told me disturbing news. I felt fear claw at my insides. Immediately after I hung up the phone, the first two lines from “Near to the Heart of God” by C.B.MacAfee (1931) came to mind. I didn’t even know I knew those words, but God gave them to me, and i was comforted. I pictured myself leaning against Jesus’ heart.
Thinking of Christmas in relation to your question, “God, do you take naps with big people?”, I thought of Immanuel–“God with us”. So, yes, God does take naps with big people. 🙂
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I always love your comments, Matcha! No matter how big we get, there’s still a vulnerable child somewhere inside of us. And no one knows our heart like God. Blessings.
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Thank you, Crystal! I enjoyed your post today about you and your daughter studying the Bible together. As you know, it’s hard work growing an audience for a blog. I just keep trying to write the best content I can. I appreciate your input. It’s amazing to know that I inspire YOU—you’re pretty dang inspiring yourself!
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You inspire me to put some extra good in the world and keep doing better. Congrats on the blogging growth.
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Big or small, God comforts us all. A child needs that comfort more to be nurtured especially going through such a catastrophe. However, adults are not immune to pain and suffering. I see people taking this incredibly hard. The people in my job who were on quarantine started to lose their mind. After they were off some recovered, but not all.
I did notice, the patients who were more religious recovered mentally a lot quicker.
With what we have been going through, we are all that little child. The only one that can truly comfort us is the Father.
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You’re welcome, Beth. It was pretty amazing to be shone a window into the world of this little girl. Her trust in God as her nap facilitator seemed absolute. God Bless.
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Children are such a blessing. To get a glimpse of this little girl’s faith was truly a gift. Oh to have the faith of a child who in the the midst of trials and chaos states without a doubt in mind, “Oh I know God. We take naps together.” Thank you David for sharing!
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Amen, Manette. Thank you for expanding the idea of taking naps with God. Jesus clearly is offering an invitation in the verses you cite. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. Blessings.
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Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed and identified with the story!
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David, thank you for resharing this story with us! This touches deep emotions.
We can be assured, by the word of God, that He takes naps with big people too. There are numerous scriptures about rest but the first that came to mind is, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). Read in context this is Jesus speaking, He is clearly offering rest to those of us who will snuggle up with Him.
I found one definition of “yoke” when used as a verb means: cause (two people or things) to be joined in a close relationship.
I think think that little girl was blessed by a revelation from God beyond her five-year-old comprehension but intuitively knew she received rest in God’s protection. “take naps together!”
Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” (Matthew 11:25).
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Beautiful divine reverence David. I really connected to that little girl because I lived in a dysfunctional, loud and chaotic home. Often finding solace in my closet or under the bed. I could hear God talking to me, comforting me and reassuring me that I would be ok. This time would pass and one day be over. I have come to the end of that long chapter and indeed, God was right. You have a beautiful way with words and perspective in faith my friend. I needed to read this today. Warmed my heart❤
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Me too, Dee. Me too!
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Your welcome, brother. I didn’t think about needy children at 🎄 Christmas, but it certainly fits. They have an advocate indeed in the Father. Blessings!
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Beautiful.
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A beautiful story David. We too readily forget those children in need and/or abused in our own preparations for Christmas or any thing for that matter. I remember once visiting families in the notorious Ragworth estate in Stockton. It was an education and a shock to me as a young man; kids with no shoes or carpet on the floors.. I had never seen such deprivation before. Yet I remember also thise kids filing out Harry’s Sherpa minibus and into Stockton Baptist Tabernacle, past the wheel-healed folks and sitting attentively at the front. God certainly has a heart and a hand in the welfare of such folk. Thank you David for your heartfelt post and for reminding me of my own memory. God bless you today brother.
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Wow! Her refuge and comforter.
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I sure hope He takes naps with big people 😀
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Yes, it’s been about 10 years, so she is in high school now! Thank you!
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This is so moving. I hope this little girl (who I guess is now a woman) still takes naps with God, and now walks through life with Him at her side 🙂
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I love the picture of a scared child being comforted in the arms of the Father.
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