In the Arms of a Loving Father

 Recently my granddaughter took a bad fall that required a trip to the local emergency for some stitches. She was just being a typical little girl, playing with her big brother. I was told my granddaughter was having fun running around the floor when she tripped over her feet and, with a thud, she hit the edge of the coffee table.

Her father scooped her up in his arms to comfort her as she cried. There was blood coming from her nose, but it soon became apparent when they went to wipe her nose that the corner of her nostril was detached, and the situation became much more serious. My heart goes out to my son and daughter-in-law as I'm sure I would have felt my heart in my throat and my knees buckle when I saw what they must have seen at that moment. It was obvious this was going to require a trip to the Emergency room.

If you've ever had to go to the Emergency, you know you're probably looking at 3-6 hours from the time you arrive to the time you leave. That's a long time to wait for anyone and, in my opinion, that's a lot to ask of a 20-month-old toddler. Now I'm not sure how the decision of who would take her was made, but it was my son who took her to the Emergency while my Daughter-in-law stayed home to be with our  grandson. It is my understanding my son and granddaughter had to sit 3 hours in the waiting room before they even got to see a doctor for the initial exam and approximately another 2 before they were fixed and released to go home.

As messy and as upsetting as this story is, I love the story behind the story! You see, it's a story of two parents that love and care for their children. They were there for them, watching over them, allowing them the freedom to play and explore and yet when a crisis happened, they immediately sprung into action.  They tended to their needs, in this case medical.

I love how my granddaughter felt safe in the arms of both her mom and her dad. It amazes me that she could sit for what ended up being hours on her daddy's lap in the Emergency waiting room. To me that's a good indication she felt safe and secure in the arms of her daddy. I can only imagine the conversations they had or the silly games they must have had to make up to pass the time. My son would have had to meet her at her level of childlike thinking to keep her calm and content enough to stay with him all those hours. As parents we need to get quite creative sometimes to hold our little one's attention!

What I love about this story from the spiritual perspective as a believer in the New Covenant of Grace is how it reveals the story of a loving God, a God of love and compassion, mercy and grace. A God that allows us the freedom to explore and make mistakes, and yet a God that will come to our rescue in our time of need. You see, He was there all along! He doesn't promise us that our life will be perfect, for we live in a fallen world and as I've heard my son say "sh*t happens!", but He does promise that He will never leave us not forsake us.

He even says that He will remain faithful even when we are not! I love how, just as my granddaughter sat on her daddy's lap and in his arms, we too can find safety and comfort in the arms of a loving Heavenly Father. His arms are always open, and we can climb up on His lap any time of day or night and He will comfort us in His embrace. Imagine if my son had told his daughter that she had to clean herself off, quit crying and wipe the blood off her own face before she could sit in his lap? I know he would  never do that, nor would a loving Heavenly Father. We don't have to be afraid to come to Him as we are, crying or bloody for He is patient and accepting, He will listen to us and wants us to be rest assured that He can be trusted. 

Imagine the hurt it would have caused if my son or daughter-in-law had gotten angry with my granddaughter, or told her that it was her mistake, and she must just live with the consequences of her actions? And yes, my granddaughter may very well have a small scar form the cut, but she will not bear any deep emotional or spiritual scars as she would have if she was rejected by them because of her accident.

No conversation or interaction is too childlike for God. He just wants us to simply come as we are, with all our worries and burdens, wounds, scars, and all; be they physical, emotional and or spiritual.

He'll meet us right where we are at, we don't need to clean up our act first. If we needed to change ourselves first, that would be the God of religion, not the God of relationship. The God of the New Covenant is a God of relationship, His desire is a relationship that is reflected through His family, a family that reflects His love and compassion, mercy and grace. Now that's a beautiful story!

Hebrew 13:5 "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."

2 Timothy 2:13 "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself."

Romans 8:39 "Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

All scripture verses from NIV translation Bible.

A Family To Cherish

As I looked out the window in the wee hours of the morning, I couldn’t help but take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the sunrise that was unfolding before my eyes.The moon was sitting high in the sky as the sun was just peaking through on the horizon cascading colours of beautiful crimson red and orange on the trees that were blanketed in frost. It was truly breathtaking and comforting to my soul, a visual reminder that as a believer in God, He is still in control and at work behind the scenes painting a masterpiece on His canvas of creation. 

 My eyes filled with tears as I stood watching this beautiful sunrise unfold and I found myself reflecting on the events that had already taken place in the first few weeks of 2021 and looking back over 2020. 

2020 had truly been a year to remember with highlights of the joyful celebration of the birth of a grand-baby girl, the 30th birthday of my own baby girl as well as the 101st birthday of my mom. 

Yet my heart felt heavy as I thought of the lows of the global COVID-19 pandemic that has caused devastating losses for people with the death of family members, the financial toll on households and businesses as well as the emotional strain caused from Government lead restrictions not allowing us to be with our loved ones because of the risk of spreading the virus. 

I couldn’t imagine how I would feel if I was all alone or didn’t believe in something or someone bigger than the concerns at hand. I found myself feeling grateful for my family and the love and support that we have for each other. Although I felt sad we may not be able to be together in person due to life’s circumstances, I am thankful that we are close in our hearts and the love we have for each other transcends any physical barriers or borders.

 I am also thankful to believe that, just as we care about each other in our family, we also have a Heavenly Father that cares about every detail of our lives and is there to help us. We can talk to Him any time and any place. His love for us transcends every physical and spiritual barrier and border because He is all knowing, and always present, and by His Spirit our heart becomes his home. Nothing can separate us from His love. We can know Him as a councillor when we need guidance, a healer when we are sick and a navigator through the storms of our lives.

We can find comfort in knowing He loves us with an everlasting love. It is His desire for the family unit to reflect His love both while we are here on earth and in our home in Heaven for He is a God that desires relationship and we are safe in His arms. For God is love. He is a God of love and compassion, mercy and grace. 

As a mom, and a believer, it gives me comfort to know it doesn’t need to end here, it has always been my prayer that we can be together as a family and be close now and forever. 

So I hold on to my faith that a loving and living Heavenly Father is there for my family, that they too see Him in those quiet morning sunrise moments, and they see His hand print in the tapestry of life’s journey and they know they are loved no matter what. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does  boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 

1 Corinthians 13:13

Now these three things remain: faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love .

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angles nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Small Blessing

I received a snapchat message on my cellphone one morning while on my way to look after my grandson. Upon opening, a photo appeared of my grandson standing at the backdoor of his house with the caption, "waiting for Grandma”.

My eyes filled with tears as my emotions unraveled. I had been feeling down that morning so receiving this precious photo was medicine to my soul.  I tried to gather my emotions in hopes that by the time I would greet my grandson at the door I would be fine. No tears in sight when I arrived but I cried the moment I received his loving embrace, my heart melted in his arms. 

There’s just something about the innocence and love of a child that God uses to speak to my heart. That unconditional love inviting me to come just as I am, tears, troubles, and all my burdens. I didn’t need to try to pull myself together. If anything, by trying to put on a happy face, I wasn't being real. Not allowing my grandson, or God to see the real me, and the reality of my emotions at that moment. Besides, God already knew how I was feeling that morning because He is all knowing and always present. My grandson didn't get upset by my behaviour or turn away from me. He didn't tell me to first get my act together before I could come to him, nor would a loving God, for God is love.

God gives  to us in his living and written word His invitation that we, as His children, can come to Him and His loving and  healing presence when we are weary and  burdened.  He will give us rest. He invites us to come anytime, anywhere, no matter what, because He is a God of relationship.

I found that rest in the sweet little arms of my grandson that morning. I know that God met me with him at that back door in what I call a God moment. For He is a God of love and compassion, mercy, and grace. I look forward to many more moments like these.  I am thankful that this is the God that I've come to know, and the God that my grandson is growing to know as well. 

Matthew chapter 11: verse 28-30  
“Come to me all you who are weary and  burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

As you read this scripture remember God is love.

  1 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 4-8 
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails. 

photos by family Album.   Bible verse NIV version

A Wedding To Remember

On Sept 1st, 2018 our daughter married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life . It was truly a joy to be a part of such a beautiful ceremony. It seemed like only yesterday she was playing dress up in her grandma's long dresses and now she looked like a beautiful princess dressed in her own wedding gown.

There were many moments of tears of joy and laughter. Watching the way they looked at each other while saying their vows was truly a very beautiful and touching moment. One that I will cherish in my heart forever. It was very evident to everyone, their love for each other was very real and genuine. 

The reception gave my husband and I the opportunity to officially welcome our son-in-law into the family, even though we had welcomed him into our home and hearts 12 years ago, he already felt as part of the family. 

 At the entrance of the loft where the ceremony took place was a “Welcome” sign that said, “Take a seat, not a side, we are all family once knot is tied ”. It really reflected the atmosphere of the families that attended. We even had friends and relatives comment on how they noticed the families got along and everyone mingled.

As a believer I wonder if there will be a sign at Heaven’s lofty gates that will say, “Take a seat, not a side, we are all family once Christ’s bride “

I look forward to everyone mingling and getting along. No segregation or bias based on denominational beliefs or past mistakes. How wonderful it will be when we look into the eyes of our loving Heavenly Father and feel a love that is real, and genuine. I believe there will be tears of joy and laughter as we, the bride of Christ celebrate  with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Something to cherish in our hearts now and forever. Amen! Let it be so!

Romans 10:9

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
 Isaiah 62:5 
As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

photos by family

At Home In My Heart

As I walked down the hallway to my daughter’s bedroom, the lingering scent of her perfume brought a sense of soothing peace. Yet at the same time, I also felt a sadness in my soul. The remnants of the sweet fragrance of her presence are but a precious memory now.

My eyes filled with tears as I thought about our time spent together over the Christmas holidays. Although we were all battling head colds, her dad and I enjoyed every moment with her and her fiancé.  I felt thankful that I live in an age of modern technology where I can call, text, or Face Time my family whenever I like.

What brings me the most joy is the love I have in my heart for my daughter and the loving relationship we share. There's a closeness in spirit that remains even though physically we may live miles apart.  It's a connection that transcends beyond even our modern technology. Even though I miss her so much, I’m comforted in knowing we have a kindred spirit because we share the same belief in a loving God who lives inside both of our hearts.  He is a loving Father who watches over us and cares deeply about every aspect of our lives. He is a Counsellor, abiding in us, to whom we can talk and take every concern we have for each other every moment of the day. He is our Saviour who promises He would never leave us nor forsake us.

And, so I count the days until my daughter is home again and the aroma of her sweet presence will once again fill my home with love.  I will hold her ever so close in my heart, and I thank God for every moment we have together here on earth until that day we are home together with the Lord in heaven for all eternity! Amen, let it be so! 

 

photos by family photo Album

A Legacy of Prayer and Blessing

Ever since my children were babies I have prayed a night time prayer of blessing and protection over them. I must admit my prayer has expanded in length as the years have gone by and their little worlds and situations have expanded beyond their crib, the school ground, and into the real world!
When they were young, they didn't want to go to asleep until we had our special prayer time together. Many conversations about life or life situations would spring out of our time together.
 Even though they are grown adults now, and living their own lives, I still pray my prayer for them. Although, they may not literally hear me they know I still pray, and find comfort in knowing this.
As a believer and a parent this is a legacy that I want to pass on to my children. My hope is they will carry this on to their children and for generations to come! Perhaps when I'm old, my children will pray their own prayer of blessing and protection over me.

Sharing this story with you reminds me of a book titled, "I'll Love You Forever" that I enjoyed reading to my kids when they were little. The story is of a mother praying for her child and how the circle of love and dedication was carried on by her child onto her grandchild and eventually back to her when she was old.  My eyes still fill with tears when I think about the words in that book. The words that mother would say were, "I'll love you forever, I'll like for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be." They are simplistic yet powerful words that we all may appreciate having spoken over us no matter how old we are.

Although we may not hear them from our parents or children, because of life's circumstances, I believe we can find peace and comfort  in knowing there is a loving Heavenly Father who wants to speak words of love and compassion to us. Perhaps words like " I'll love you forever, I'll love you for always, forever and ever my baby you'll be"! Not just while we are here on earth but for all eternity! Amen!

 Give Thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever. (Chronicles 16:34)

Photos by family photo album, photopin.com, flicker.com

The Help

Lately I've been thinking about a movie I watched with my daughter about a year ago titled, The Help.  
It's loosely based around two African American women who work as maids for white families during the Civil Rights era in the 1960s. If you go to Wikipedia  you can read a little write up about the movie content. If you haven't seen the movie I highly recommend it.

One of the maids, or as they were referred to in the movie as the help, was named Aberdeen Clark. One of her duties was to take care of a little girl around 3 years old. Every day Aberdeen would speak in her broken English these encouraging words of affirmation over the little girl, "You's kind, you's smart, you's important!"
Our eyes filled with tears and our hearts were deeply touched when we watched that scene. I felt as if it was what I call a "God Moment".  Like a blessing being spoken over that little girl!

 It's such a powerful reminder of the power of words, both good and bad. I've heard it said that when one negative or discouraging word has been spoken to a person it takes up to seven positive or encouraging words to counteract the negative affect in our mind and heart.  I believe the scriptures do refer to the fact that words have power for good or for evil.

I believe the Bible also refers to the  Holy Spirit as " The Helper", the one that wants to come along beside us. He wants to  speak words of encouragement and affirmation into our hearts. Words like, you're kind, you're smart, you're important!

 I hope I can reflect "the helper" that lives inside me when I speak the words,  "you's kind, you's smart, you's important, to a lost and hurting world around me that so desperately needs to hear these healing and encouraging words!
I hope you have been blessed and encouraged too!
Amen. Let it be so!