I Choose Today to Stay Close to the Father

I read a story recently about a father who spent a lot of time making things for his daughter. Thoughtful things. Beautiful things. His hands were busy, his heart full of love. But as I sat with the story, something stirred—something deeper. The Holy Spirit nudged me with a gentle question:

What if she needed more of him, not more from him?

He had limited time—like we all do. And instead of using it to make memories with her, he spent it making gifts for her. Sweet? Yes. But something essential was missed: presence. She would’ve learned more, grown more, and likely cherished more, simply being with her father than receiving all the things he crafted.

And just like that, I felt the Lord turn that mirror on me.

How often do I long for what God can do for me instead of simply sitting with Him? How often do I run ahead chasing something good and miss out on the One who is better?

It reminds me of the choice Abraham and Lot had to make* (credit to Paul Waters). When their herds grew too large to share land, Abraham offered Lot first pick. Lot lifted his eyes and chose the lush land of the Jordan Valley—a piece of the action. But Abraham stayed in the land of promise, even though it looked less appealing on the surface. One picked opportunity. The other chose proximity to God. Only one had peace.

I think of Moses too, standing before God in Exodus 33. God tells Moses He’ll send the Israelites on to the Promised Land, but that His presence won’t go with them. And Moses doesn’t hesitate: “If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (Ex. 33:15). He understood something we’re so quick to forget: The gift means nothing if the Giver isn’t there.

We live in a culture that praises hustle and productivity, even in our faith. Do more. Serve more. Give more. Build more. But sometimes I wonder—are we like that father, making things for God when what He wants most is time with us?

There is nothing wrong with doing things for God—of course not. Just like that dad, our desire comes from love. But the Father’s heart has always been relational, not transactional. He doesn’t just want to hand us blessings; He wants to walk with us, teach us, love us, and be with us in the process.

I don’t want to be so busy asking for things or doing things that I miss the joy of His presence. I want to make memories with Him, not just receive gifts from Him. I want to sit at His feet like Mary, to remain in His shadow like David, to abide like the branch to the Vine.

And I think, maybe that’s what He wants too.

So today, I choose the better part. I choose closeness over accomplishment. I choose to stay near.

I choose today to stay close to the Father.