Kissing God

My 19 month old said, "Love you" to me today for the first time.  I was so deeply, deeply touched.  And it reminded me of a speech I heard a number of years ago at a missions convention.  The speaker was talking about the first time his toddler gave him a kiss.  For years he gave her kiss after kiss, eagerly awaiting the day when she would kiss him back.  Finally, one day, during the Barney theme song ("...with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you..."), she gave him a peck.  He said the skies opened, lights came down from heaven, and his heart soared.  It really wasn't much of a moment in her mind, but it was huge to him.  He used this as an image of the love God constantly gives to us, despite our general indifference, despite our taking his daily tender care for granted, eagerly anticipating the day when we kiss him back.  Later in the conference, the speaker and his wife brought their daughter onto the stage.  She wasn't more than 2 or 3 years old, and they held her sandwiched between them.  The two of them gave her a kiss on her cheeks, constantly glancing at her adoringly.  The daughter, for her part, was just kind of looking around, more interested in this new view of the auditorium than in how elated her parents were with her.  In light of all he had said, it was hard not to think about these adoring parents as giving to this toddler the type of love God shows to us.  The speaker concluded with words to his daughter, "You are an inspiration to all these people here." And though she didn't even know it, she was.  Not because of anything she had done, but because of what her father had done through her, despite her not even having a clue.  I hold that picture in my mind, and I wonder how often it is this way with us - God gazing at us with parental adoration, kissing us daily, using us despite our complete lack of ability to comprehend what is going on as we just stare in curiosity at the odd circumstances surrounding us.  Why not take a moment to worship and kiss God back?