First graders are notorious for their lack of focus, some more than others.  One of those others came to my desk seconds after I had given them a simple task to do while I wrote down the lunch count and absentees for the office.  She stood there staring at me.  I looked up, called her name and asked what she needed.  She stared and said, “I don’t know”.  “I forgot.” She forgot what she wanted on the short trip from her desk to mine!  

I told this little one to stay near me until she remembered.  While i was finished my task of paperwork for the office, I could feel her concentrated stare on me.  I finally made suggestions as to why she might be there.  “Do you need help with the work I gave you?” Nope.  “Do you need supplies to do it?”  Nope.  Then it occurred to me, as she began to fidget, I leaned in and asked, “Do you need to use the restroom?”  “YES!  That’s it!”  And off she went.  But we’re not like that are we?

Sometimes we come to God’s “desk” in prayer this way.  We lose focus with thoughts of the day. But God is God and understands.  He says, “Come to me and I will give you rest.” And maybe…He says, “Stay near me until you remember why you came.”  Aren’t we glad God is so patient with us?