Yesterday Aimee, our new granddaughter came over with her parents to visit. I got to feed her some supplement from a bottle and then she fell asleep on my shoulder (at left) for two and a half hours while I watched the Green Bay football game. What a special time! My heart was so filled with joy just to be near Aimee and watch her breathe, smirk and rest. She had one hand on my chest and the other around my side.
he’s pretty helpless, you know. She really can’t do a thing for herself and must depend on those around her to take care of her. Jesus encouraged us to the same kind of relationship with his Father. You don’t need to be anxious for anything because he will take care of you. Wouldn’t it be great to trust that? I’m learning to, even when he doesn’t ‘take care’ of me the way I want to be taken care of.
hile a group of us were together last week praying for my writing and travel schedule, one of the brothers prayed about this. He spoke of Aimee and her complete helplessness and prayed we would learn how to be helpless in the hands of our Father too. As he prayed I thought not only of how helpless Aimee is, but how much I delight at every thought of her. And then I wondered if God held that same delight for me. Theologically, I know God delights over us. Zechariah said so, but I’ve never seen his delight for me quite as real as my delight for Aimee before that moment.
t reminded me my reading in Song of Songs a few weeks ago. As the bridegroom delights over his lover, I wondered if that mirrors Jesus’ delight in his church. I know how I feel when I’ve been gone from Sara for a few days, and the ache in my heart just to be near her again and hold her in my arms. Could this be how God feels about me? The conclusion I’ve come to his delight is at least what I feel for Sara or for Aimee. His delight could be a billion times greater, with him being God and all, and having more love in his heart than I can possibly fathom.
And if I really knew he delighted in me like that, wouldn’t it be so much easier to rest in his certain arms, even in the places where I’m most broken and helpless? I want Jesus to make that more real in me with each passing day, and I pray the same for you too!
Along that line…
Hilary and I started watching "Gods & Generals" last night. We were both struck by the faith of Stonewall Jackson that the movie portrayed.
After the first vicoius battle scene when Jackson gets a report about the battle, one of his men asks him (I’m paraphrasing)how he was able to remain so calm with all the bullets and battle going on about him. Jackson replies that it’s his religious belief that allows him to do so. He says that in Father’s hand he’s as safe in battle as he is in bed and if all men realized as much they would fight as bravely.
I don’t know if that was a true portrayal, but if so, that’s some stout faith!
– Kevin
Well, you’ve got to love google. I should have checked this before posting that last one but the quote is, in fact, genuine.
"General" I remarked, "How is it that you can keep so cool and appear so utterly insensible to danger in such a storm of shell and bullets as rained about you when your hand was hit?" He instantly became grave and reverential in his manner, and answered, in a low tone of great earnestness: "Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me." He added, after a pause, looking me full in the face: "That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave"
http://www.brotherswar.com/Civil_War_Quotes_4d.htm
– Kevin
Along that line…
Hilary and I started watching "Gods & Generals" last night. We were both struck by the faith of Stonewall Jackson that the movie portrayed.
After the first vicoius battle scene when Jackson gets a report about the battle, one of his men asks him (I’m paraphrasing)how he was able to remain so calm with all the bullets and battle going on about him. Jackson replies that it’s his religious belief that allows him to do so. He says that in Father’s hand he’s as safe in battle as he is in bed and if all men realized as much they would fight as bravely.
I don’t know if that was a true portrayal, but if so, that’s some stout faith!
– Kevin
Well, you’ve got to love google. I should have checked this before posting that last one but the quote is, in fact, genuine.
"General" I remarked, "How is it that you can keep so cool and appear so utterly insensible to danger in such a storm of shell and bullets as rained about you when your hand was hit?" He instantly became grave and reverential in his manner, and answered, in a low tone of great earnestness: "Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me." He added, after a pause, looking me full in the face: "That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave"
http://www.brotherswar.com/Civil_War_Quotes_4d.htm
– Kevin
Wayne,
I know exactly how you feel about that little "angel" that you hold so close. My 2 1/2 year old grandson Gatlin, came over to my chair the other evening, while visiting us, put his arms around my neck and said, "I miss you Papaw". Wow, that simple expression melted me. Father, being Love, having created us in His image, must have designed those feelings in us so that we could have just a little taste of how He feels about us, especially when we trust in Him like little children and seek Him for all of our needs. I would gladly give my life to insure the well being of that little guy and I’m imperfect. How much more has our perfect God given His Life for us.
Yep, your picture of Aimee sleeping in your arms safely really does remind us to realise that God loves and protects us even more! AIMEE is gorgeous by the way, and I’d come over and steal her, only that Tony and I are still waiting for our little bub to arrive, who is now 2 days overdue!!
Wayne,
I know exactly how you feel about that little "angel" that you hold so close. My 2 1/2 year old grandson Gatlin, came over to my chair the other evening, while visiting us, put his arms around my neck and said, "I miss you Papaw". Wow, that simple expression melted me. Father, being Love, having created us in His image, must have designed those feelings in us so that we could have just a little taste of how He feels about us, especially when we trust in Him like little children and seek Him for all of our needs. I would gladly give my life to insure the well being of that little guy and I’m imperfect. How much more has our perfect God given His Life for us.
Yep, your picture of Aimee sleeping in your arms safely really does remind us to realise that God loves and protects us even more! AIMEE is gorgeous by the way, and I’d come over and steal her, only that Tony and I are still waiting for our little bub to arrive, who is now 2 days overdue!!