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There are a lot of things we grandparents do to spoil our grandchildren. I have nine grandchildren, and while each one is wonderfully unique, I have noticed that at a certain age the grandchildren tend to like a lot of the same things. I have one not quite old enough to test my theory, but I am eight for eight with all my grandchildren ages two to eight. They all like to play with flashlights, and they all like to play hide and seek.

Little children don’t need to be in the dark to play with a flashlight. They like using them anytime. Last night, the twin two-year-olds were shining their lights on each other, on the floor, and on me for several minutes. After they went home, I discovered their flashlights lying on the ground and still on. Something more exciting than the flashlight had captured their curiosity and they quickly abandoned their lights.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” As I read this familiar passage and thought about my twin grandchildren, I wondered how easily it is for us to become distracted by the urgency of each day’s events. I have certainly been guilty of becoming so distracted by both crisis and success that I failed to check where God’s word was shining its light in a given moment. Scripture reading is not just a nice thing we do. It is an essential part of how we tap into God’s wisdom and direction. It illuminates our path and guides our course of action.

The younger grandchildren tend to hide in the same place during hide and seek, and their biggest thrill is being found. Every time I find one of the little ones, they light up with joy and surprise. They also enjoy the pursuit of me when I am hiding. They can’t wait to find me in a new place.

Jesus taught us that we have childlike faith when approaching and understanding his kingdom. Playing hide and seek with my grandchildren makes me wonder if approaching the kingdom of God is similar to what Jesus meant when he said, “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of God.” When a child plays hide and seek with an adult, they have both a little fear of being surprised and simultaneously, faith or expectation that their beloved parent or grandparent will be there when they turn the next corner or look behind the chair. There is both fear and wonder every time they encounter the one they love who has chosen to play with them.

Don’t misunderstand, God is not hiding from us. But he does delight in our choice to seek him and to place our hope that today, in his word, in our next meeting, or around the corner at the post office, he will indeed be discoverable and available in our moment of need and in our moments of joy.

Father, may your words come to mind throughout our day and guide us to not only see you but also to see the people you love and whom you call us to serve. Thank you for being the source and place of our strength and hope. Reveal yourself to us today as we pursue the work you have called us to. In Jesus’ name, amen.