waiting to be wanted

Ezra told me he loved me for the first time the other day. I've heard him tell his moose puppet and a toy train that he loved them... and i've just waited patiently for my turn. So much about being a mom makes me think about my relationship with God. Who was it that first said "God waits to be wanted" ? I'm understanding that in a whole new light these days. Ezra is teaching me a lot. There are so many times in the day where something doesn't go well for Ezra. He will collapse in a frustrated heap, wailing and kicking. "can I help you ezzy?".... "NOoooooOOOOooo...", he wails.... "It looks like you need a cuddle".... "Stop it! Noooo!", as he shoves his little chubby hand up in my face. And so I wait. And endure his screaming. I make him sit on a chair in his room until he calms down. I wait and wait and wait. And then finally he'll emerge from the bedroom... puffy eyes, slumped little shoulders, dragging his feet... and he'll come, sheepishly, but he'll come. And he'll say "sorry" (only he doesn't say his "r"s right so it sounds more like "sowwy". He'll put his head on my chest and sit with me until the sadness is gone. And sometimes the whole tantrum episode has left me so frustrated... and little chubby cheeks can tell. So, he'll look up at me and ask "mommy, are you sad?". "Yes, Ezra - mommy is frustrated." Then he'll change his tactic, "Mommy, are you happy now?". And unless I'm really, really angry this usually will always melt me on the spot. "Yes, Ezra... Mommy is happy now"