God Likes Needy

It's a recent character trait, I think, but I don't do well when people are "needy." If you ask some long-time friends or family members, they would be surprised by that confession because I'm well known for taking people under my wing...but at least for the time being, it is true. In the same vein, I don't like appearing needy myself. And isn't that how it usually works? The traits that you are irritated by in others, are the ones you hate about yourself? But, truthfully, we're all needy in some way...and I just don't like other people to see it.

The other day I was asking God to do something that was fairly trivial with definite threads of neediness patterned through it. I told God: "I know this sounds needy, but..." And immediately the words appeared in my heart: "I like needy."

I took such comfort in realizing that God likes needy. Can you imagine how greatly the number of "needy" people would be reduced if we only chose to take the needs, big, small and silly, to Jesus? How much more free we would all be with a safe place to admit our neediness - with no apprehension in exposing insecurities or fears? There is so much acceptance in that single phrase. God likes needy. 

He not only likes it - He desires it. It brings Him joy when we admit our need to Him. And you know what? Two things had happened after I uttered those words. First, I didn't feel "needy" anymore. I felt understood and I felt loved. And secondly, within 24 hours, He gave me a little wink (that only I would recognize) acknowledging and affirming that silly little need.

Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

Even our silly, needy cares.