Let God Take You Into His Arms

Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Mark 10:16, ” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. “

Background

It has been a little while, but there was a time when one of my little girls was coming into our bedroom in the middle of the night on a somewhat regular basis. Usually, they had had a bad dream and needed some help falling back asleep. Sometimes, all that was required was a hug and a kiss and some gentle reassurance as I sent them back to their bed. On some occasions, my child wanted to climb in bed with us, but rarely would I grant this request. It seemed to always come about thirty minutes before I had to get up in the morning, and I craved those last few minutes of sleep, not wanting to surrender them to miniature knees and legs kicking me for the next half hour. But there have been those nights when I’ve heard the footsteps even before the voice, and I’ve simply reached down and pulled them up right next to me on my pillow in one giant expression of love and tenderness. And last night was one of those nights. Bedtime at our place can get a little chaotic. With six kids brushing teeth and changing into night clothes and making their last minute requests, sometimes it goes more smoothly than others, and sometimes it’s more of a battle.

Application

Last night wasn’t bad, but I didn’t go to bed with the most peaceful mind. And so, when my five-year-old was standing at my bedside very early this morning, she found two arms that couldn’t wait to pull her up. There was no hesitation this time, and I was glad to give up whatever space and sleep it cost me to have my little one beside me. Adulthood does a lot of things to us, most of them good and necessary. But not all. And one thing it doesn’t do is change the fact that we are still God’s children, and God is still our loving heavenly Father. It may have been a while since you’ve come to Him in that frame of mind. But He hasn’t changed, not one bit, since the last time He welcomed and received you into His loving arms. Maybe that’s where you need to be today. If so, don’t waste another minute wondering what to do.

Charge

As we seek Him today, cry out to God for love if that’s what your heart seems to be missing. Let your Father hold and comfort you like only a father can.