Every morning, I wake up with my heart already asking critical questions:

"Am I loveable?" "Am I enough?" "Do I have what it takes?" And if I don’t take the time to let God answer these questions for me — with love and grace — I’ll spend the rest of my day seeking an answer in people’s opinions or other things.

But here’s the problem: I don’t have any time.

Well, I don’t feel like I have any time. I gotta get moving! I gotta get stuff done. I don’t have time to pause and let God forgive and love me!

This frantic urgency is my daily reality. But Rev. Dr. Alan Johnson helped me reframe this during our recent interview on the Signpost Inn Podcast. (Listen here, or watch here).

He has toddlers, and toddlers take a loooong time putting on their shoes. Picture a three-year-old sitting on the floor, one shoe on, one shoe off, suddenly deciding that this is the perfect moment to play 'eeny, meeny, miny, moe' with their socks. It’s funny and joyful… if I have 10 minutes to spare. But if I only had 10 minutes to spare 15 minutes ago, then it’s really annoying. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

Except God. God always has time for “eeny, meeny, miny, moe.”

God’s always got time for joy. Because God always has time. I’ve unconsciously made God as hurried as I am. But the Creator of time never needs to check his watch! He’s never running late, never worried about “obligations,” never concerned with what people will think of him. His only concern is what he thinks about me (and you!)

And God loves me (and you!). God’s always got time for me. I’m his beloved son whom he has chosen to love unconditionally. He “delights to give me the kingdom!” (Luke 12:32). Not because I'm efficient or productive, but simply because I'm his.      

I invite you to experience that truth with me — right now.

Pause. Take a deep breath. Say out loud the truth: “Yes, Lord, I am your beloved son/daughter. You delight to be with me and give me your kingdom! I love you too!” Then send your body the signal that it’s okay to relax. You are forgiven! You are loved!

Now, go play “eeny, meeny, miny, moe.” Remember, God isn't tapping his foot waiting for you to get your act together. He's delighting in this very moment with you—and those anxious morning questions already have their answer.