Hush, Little Baby

Hush, little baby, don’t say a word.
Papa’s gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird won’t sing,
Papa’s gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Papa’s gonna buy you a looking glass

And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa’s gonna buy you a billy goat

And if that billy goat won’t pull,
Papa’s gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull turn over,
Papa’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover

And if that dog named Rover won’t bark
Papa’s gonna buy you a horse and cart

And if that horse and cart fall down,
You’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

I hear Peter, Paul and Mary singing this song on a favorite album, in my head, and, yet, never thought much about the words.  But as I hum the tune, I looked the words up to get them down right.  Notice the father is most willing to give this child anything.

Our Father gives us what we need:

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; 
The LORD gives grace and glory; 
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.  Psalm 84:11

“For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”  John 6:33

…but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:57

And the Word of God goes on and on with the gifts from our Heavenly Father.

All the “things” seem to fail, but the love of the Father never does.  No matter what material things we think we need or want, they are never enough to fill the God-shaped hole in us.  Only He can take that space up perfectly.

Here, Jesus teaches us about following Him and what truly matters:

And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”  Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.  And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”  Mark 10:20-23 NASB

Do you know what I notice right off the bat?  Jesus loved this man.  Jesus wanted to give him the very best and the man could not relinquish those “things” in order to have the very best, the love of the Father, the perfect love of Christ.  This man’s hole stays empty for he chose his way and not Jesus.  It does not have to be about material things either.  It can be about holding onto thoughts, feelings, beliefs, unbelief.

Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.  1 Corinthians 13:8

Love never fails.

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  1 John 3:1

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  Matthew 7:11

Oh, Father God, You are the very best.  Your love is like no other and is all I need.  As I walk through my life, may I always seek Your face and know Your call to follow You is the best.  Your call for my obedience is the truest path there is and the only one I should take.  You know I stumble sometimes.  I am sorry.  Guide me as I come to You.  Guide me as I am and keep me in the Way.  I love You back, LORD Jesus.  Oh, I do.  In Your Name, I pray.  Amen.

 

photo: http://heartlight.org