Gaby loves to be loved, and always has. As a little one, waking up from a nap with sleepiness lingering, a newly inflicted “owie,”a bit of insecurity with new people crowding around her, weary from her day of play, missing Mommy, or Daddy, frustrated with toys that appear to have their own mind – warm hugs from Grandma seemed to make it “all better.” Sometimes though, I was not quite alert to her little world that can suddenly change, and I looked down to see two little arms reaching up, and an imploring Gabby saying, “Ganma, I wanna hold you.” Gabby may have had it a tad backwards, but her meaning was conveyed, and I folded her in my arms, drawing her close. And I was blessed as much as she was.
We have those times we long to be held close, to know the warmth of love, understanding, acceptance, and care. To soothe the “owie’s” or the frustration. To quiet the insecurity or refresh the weariness. And sometimes, the needs are much deeper, and the anguish within us is desperate for a closeness that will calm the turmoil of loss or the pain of abrupt, unwanted change. My feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped. I have been stricken all day long and chastened every morning. My heart was embittered and I was pierced within. I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast. Those were the words of the psalmist until God took his hand, and then the psalmist said, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. The nearness of God is my good.”
In another place in the Psalms, the lament of despair echos the fear of death. The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. In his distress, the psalmist cries out to God, and God responds. He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.
It is the arms of the Shepherd though that I most cherish. Those are the arms I need and want when my own world is suddenly changed. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. The closeness of our God brings a security that is unparalleled. It is our place of refuge. My tears are dried and my anxious heart is quieted. Life has brought its seasons when I have begged God for His closeness, and literally, I felt His arms around me. Sometimes His hugs come more softly and sometimes, the hugs of others become His arms of protection and warmth. Gabby may have gotten it backwards, but God Himself says the same words. I delight in you. I want to hold you.
(Related Bible reading: Psalm 18:1-6,16-19; Isaiah 40:11)
We have those times we long to be held close, to know the warmth of love, understanding, acceptance, and care. To soothe the “owie’s” or the frustration. To quiet the insecurity or refresh the weariness. And sometimes, the needs are much deeper, and the anguish within us is desperate for a closeness that will calm the turmoil of loss or the pain of abrupt, unwanted change. My feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped. I have been stricken all day long and chastened every morning. My heart was embittered and I was pierced within. I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast. Those were the words of the psalmist until God took his hand, and then the psalmist said, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. The nearness of God is my good.”
In another place in the Psalms, the lament of despair echos the fear of death. The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. In his distress, the psalmist cries out to God, and God responds. He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.
It is the arms of the Shepherd though that I most cherish. Those are the arms I need and want when my own world is suddenly changed. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. The closeness of our God brings a security that is unparalleled. It is our place of refuge. My tears are dried and my anxious heart is quieted. Life has brought its seasons when I have begged God for His closeness, and literally, I felt His arms around me. Sometimes His hugs come more softly and sometimes, the hugs of others become His arms of protection and warmth. Gabby may have gotten it backwards, but God Himself says the same words. I delight in you. I want to hold you.
(Related Bible reading: Psalm 18:1-6,16-19; Isaiah 40:11)
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