The Doll House

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:1-14 ESV). Recently I had a young mom write me and ask my opinion about how she should best handle a question from her young daughter. She said as she was reading a Bible story to her, it had reminded the little girl of the, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Then, as children will do, she asks, “Why does God hold the world in his hands?” She answered, “Because we’re his children and he loves us.” And then, the little girl asked, “Is the world like a big doll house, and God is playing with us?” My answer was not quick. I had to pause a bit before writing back. We all might ask the same question. Some would do so cynically. The child doesn’t. If we could watch her playing with her doll house, we would note her warm feelings and love for her dolls, the tender care of moving them about, of gently talking to them. That’s how she sees God, our heavenly Father, caring for us his children. Her vision is right on. No wonder Jesus calls us to imitate children. If our approach to all of life were more childlike we wouldn’t fear for ourselves and for our loved ones as we do. We want protection from accidents and illness for ourselves and the little ones. But when is the last time fearing for them helped? The Bible promises, “He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge” (cf. Proverbs 14:26). And, “Perfect love casts out fear” (cf. 1 John 4:18). Our love for God is imperfect, but God’s love for us and our children and grandchildren is faultless. It’s able to drive out our worries. Live in awe of God daily, and “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Being in his “doll house” is a very good place to be!