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    We recently spent one of those rare vacations with our son and family. They live about a twelve hour drive from us. The distance and travel time makes it difficult to break away from our schedules for the four days needed to spend time with them. Even if we were to fly down, it would still take several days at minimum. Living in a rural area it takes nearly half a day just to drive to the airport. So about twice a year, we visit their home and once or twice a year, they are able to come to Grandma and Grandpa’s. It’s not a lot of time and I wish it were more. But it’s all the time we can grab for right now.

    Jamal, age 4, had come to stay with us for his first visit alone at Grandma and Grandpa’s earlier this year. It was a wonderful opportunity to bond with Jamal. That special closeness of alone time helped to establish a link that will last a lifetime. We hope to make these alone visits an annual tradition. Our grandchildren are precious. It seems they grow even more quickly than their parents. So, the times we can spend with them are special indeed.

    During this particular visit, Jamal and I were having a reading marathon. Jamal loves books. He will sit on a lap or next to the reader for hours on end until the voice gives out. After reading Fox in Sox for the tenth time, I announced that it was time that Grandma and Grandpa had to head on home. Jamal gave me a very special hug, and with a downcast face he tearfully said to me, “I love you, Grandma. I want you to stay with me forever and ever.” I expained that this could not be since Grandpa had to go to work, and Grandma needed to go home with him. But it was a wonderful affirmation of a special bond.

Do I have that “forever and ever wish”?

    Ruth of the Old Testament displayed such a love for Naomi. Their resources were depleted. Naomi lost her husband and both her sons and decided to return to her own land, a land that was alien to Ruth. Not wanting to be a burden to Ruth she encouraged her to leave and return to her own people. With unabashed loyalty, displaying an unparalled love for her mother-in-law she begged Naomi to let her stay with her. “Your people will be my people. Your God my God”. Ruth clung to Naomi not wanting to be separated. In essence she said, “I want to stay with you forever and ever.”

    I wondered about my relationship with the heavenly Father. Did I have that “forever and ever wish”? Were there times when I wished God would go away for awhile so I could commit that secret sin? Did I really want God to be around me all the time? Was my life so committed to him that I could say that with a true heart?

    Do we say we love God, but hurry up our devotional time and half-heartedly read his word? Are our prayers short, vague, and self-centered? Do we tell him how much he means to us and then scurry off to begin our day forgetting he is with us? Do we relish, like Jamal, to be in His presence all the time? Is he our forgotton companion?

    I said a prayer to ask God to give me such a child-like desire. For unlike me, God will stay forever and ever! He will shower as with as much love and attention as we ask of Him. He will be a constant presence. How much we miss of Him who never goes away because we do not long to be “forever and ever” with Him!