The other night, my sister Ava and I took our 7 year-old cousin Dane out for ice cream. It was about dinner time and we had to walk a little distance to get the convenience store. You wouldn’t mind ‘cause it’s summer and people would even go out at midnight just to get ice cream. ;)



It was my first time to take Dane for a short walk around the neighborhood. We always drew and played in my room but it was always my sister Ava who took her out. I was really excited and was feeling very protective at the same time. I held Dane’s hand tightly as I could as we walked to the store.

But after a little while, as we took our last turn towards “ice cream”, Dane began to ask some questions that were sweet but frightened me a bit. LOL

After that, Dane became silent. We got the convenience store, got our ice cream and walked back home happily. But I never forgot my little conversation with Dane that night~~for days!



Because as funny as it seems, it reminded me of my own conversations with my Heavenly Father.

It reminded me of my own questions. Questions some of you might have also asked at some point… Or which we may have never asked God outright, but which we keep in our hearts.

Sometimes, as we walk with God, we pass by glittering lights that amaze us and catch our attention. Riches. Fame. Beauty. Power. Success. Or Sin. We are enticed to stand in front of the store, stare through the glass window, and stay a little longer. And soon, we might get inside as well. But we know that to stand right there, there is one thing we have to let go. We have to  let go of the hand that holds us and guides us.



That night, as Dane started  to ask me those questions,  I held on to her even more. I tried my best to make her understand how much she is valued and loved and that her absence would break my heart and everyone who loves her. If she would be gone, everything will be different. And we couldn’t stand a day imagining what would’ve have happened to her. We don’t want anything bad to happen to her.

I am humbled to think that God loves me even more than that. That He values me and thinks good things for me. There are times I stare longer at the store with bright lights and I grumble because He would not leave me there for a while and just come back to get me sometime later. I understand now, deeper than I have ever before, that He doesn’t want to let me go. He doesn’t want to lose me—not forever, not even for a single day…

I have loved you just as My Father has loved Me. Stay in My love.
                                                                              –John 15:9 (NLV)