held (day 60)

There is something special about being held.
And something more special about holding a child in your arms.

“And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them”
(Mark 10:16).

On Saturday, we went into our community where we have been working the past week. The place is flooded with children of all ages, and when we walk in, they come out. Now that they know who we are, they quickly jump up on our backs or into our arms.

One small girl was sitting alone holding a little bear and as soon as I picked her up, she put her head on my shoulder and stayed there for an hour. She slept through the fun worship service we had with the kids and drooled down my arm. I loved it. I wanted her to stay there for longer, even though my shirt was completely soaked with sweat when I put her down.

Every time we have a feeding with the kids and you’re sitting down somewhere, they will constantly crawl in and out of your arms. At times, I wish they’d just stay there, fall asleep and rest for a while.

Confession: I crawl in and out of God’s arms. We all do. And I know sometimes he sits there and wishes we’d just stay. Rest. Abide in Him. Remain in his love. We think when we leave, we’re on to bigger and better things. But in reality, we always come back. There’s no place better. There’s no place safer or scarier. And honestly, in his arms is my favorite place to be.

“He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart”
(Isaiah 40:11).