Crocodiles peeling bananas!

Today I was at one of my favourite cafes. I paused from my bible study for a moment and indulged in a bit of people-watching, which I have to confess, I really enjoy. 

In the cafe were a couple with a small child.  Given my estimate of their ages, I think it was grandparents with a little boy of about 3ish. 

This little boy was chattering away, and he was talking absolute nonsense!   Going on about how crocodiles peel bananas and how the cafe needed to have a rope (I think it was to stop the chairs floating away??), but what struck me was how engaged his grandad was with the conversation; how he joined in with the chatter, with passion and enthusiasm and an evident love for the child. He never once corrected him for believing that crocodiles can peel bananas (I have to confess, I did Google it to see whether they can eat them, and apparently they do! Who knew?).  He just enjoyed being present with the little boy and being part of his world. 

It made me think of our Heavenly Father.   How gracious he is.  He listens to our rantings and nonsense and just enjoys being present in our everyday lives.  He doesn't scream and shout, but patiently bears with us as we go through the process of growing up in him.  

For me, while I realised God doesn't validate my 'nonsense', he is like that grandfather, wanting simply to be in fellowship with me in the place I am, while not expecting me to stay there forever. He provides me a solid foundation to build on and an environment to learn the truth.  He draws near to me and creates a space where I know I am loved and accepted, even when I don't make sense.  Yes, there's a time for correction, but learning doesn't have to be about being told I am doing it wrong.  Sometimes, it's just a case of growing up, and that takes time and safety, and a love that isn't based on performance.

We need to recognise that we are on a journey.  We don't have all the details from the start.  Some things we'll catch quickly and other things take more time to learn, but always God our Father is there, guiding us, being present with us and doing life with us as we grow. 



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