Love & Intimacy…
I was in the Mission a couple of weeks ago, and saw a picture of something that has been stuck in my brain. Something I long for more of.
It was at the Mission during the morning devotional, and this lady comes in off the street with her 2-3 year old daughter. The little girl looked sick, but completely content. As they sat down, the little girl curled up in her mothers arms and looked up into her eyes with a sleepy smile. The mother took a blanket and wrapped the little girl up, tucking it under her chin. There was a tired yet contented smile on the mom’s face as she rested her chin on her daughters head and rocked her back and forth.
I don’t know what it was, but the scene just melted me. In this loving embrace I saw a living example of rest and contentment that wasn’t shaken by sickness or circumstances because is was built on love and intimacy.
I want to experience more of that between God and I. I need to experience more of that between God and I. I wonder though, if everything were rosy in that little girl’s world and she wasn’t sick, would I have gotten to see that picture, or would the little girl be running around, all busy with her own busyness?
A lot of times I feel like I’m like a sick little boy, squirming desperately to wriggle out of His grasp so I can get busy with my own busyness. Like somehow, maybe healing will be found outside of His loving embrace. It’s sad and embarrassing to be confronted with my stubborn stupidity, but at the same time it’s exciting, and life giving to be confronted with the outstretched arms of my Heavenly Father.
I’m grateful for the billboards God places in my path to remind me what He wants with me.
…Love & intimacy…
…He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart…
Isa 40:11
Yes, yes, Yes!! What you wrote resonates with me! It reminds me of Matthew 11:28-30 (from The Message) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” I loved the mental image of resting you wrote about, and the visual picture of you baptizing Rebekah! I love you, Jonathan!