From the moment we were born most of us spent a great deal of time in someone’s arms. Whether it was our mom, dad, or another who cared for us, we were held, hugged and helped most of our waking hours. We depended on another not only to meet our physical needs, but our emotional needs and wants as well.

As we grew and gained independence our attachment to others waned and we began to show and accept less physical affection. We may have even pushed away from those who wanted to embrace us, declaring ourselves “too old” for the mushy stuff. We wanted to stand on our own two feet, not needing someone else to hold us up.

When we were introduced to God many of us were encouraged to focus on the rules He expects us to follow and the life He wants us to lead. We are told that God loves us, but often that love seems far away and conditional. We sing the song “Jesus Loves The Little Children” and have that picture of the children gathered around Jesus, smiling and being held by Him. It’s a beautiful picture, but just as our independence may cause us to push away the affection of humans, we also may find ourselves pushing away the affection of God. We struggle and strive to be “good enough”, fearing perfection is the only way to stay in God’s good graces.

But does it ever get lonely? Do you ever wish you could go back and climb into someone’s lap to be held and told everything is going to be okay?

I have good news for you! God is waiting to do just that.

While God does lay out rules for us and desires us to live without sin, He looks at our hearts along with our actions. If Jesus Christ is our Savior and we live our lives with the desire to please Him and to help others come to know Him as well, His love becomes that of a Father, not a judge. God isn’t waiting to punish us each time we do wrong. He will correct us as a Father corrects His children, but He also longs to love on us, not cast us aside each time we do wrong.

If you are a parent, think of your love for your children. If you don’t have children of your own, think of how you feel toward your nieces, nephews or other children to whom you are close. Sometimes you are required to discipline them. Part of your responsibility is to teach them right from wrong and help them to become wonderful human beings. But after you discipline them, what do you do next? Do you send them away until they become perfect or do you take them into your arms to reinforce how much you love them even though sometimes they fail? You most likely treasure the time you can hug them, hold them and reassure them of your love, no matter how old your children get.

Now remember that we were made in God’s image. That’s right, God made us like Him! The affection we feel for others is indicative of His love for us.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1

I want to put a challenge out to each of you. When you feel alone, and aren’t sure of your place in the world, find a quiet spot where you can spend some time with God. Begin talking to Him and revealing your heart as if you were a child again. Push aside the preconceived notions in your head of how you are supposed to act and what you are supposed to say when you’re talking with God and just tell Him how you feel. Imagine that you are little again, running to your dad or mom, falling into their arms and pouring out your story. Visualize yourself falling into God’s arms and climbing into His lap.

Then just rest there and feel His comfort, peace and love.

He’s waiting for you to rest in the peace only He can give.

In your Father’s eyes you are never too old to hold.

Wishing you blessings and peace today.

Paula

I love to garden! But I have to admit this year was not a stellar year for vegetables at our home. The soil was tilled, fertilized and rows marked. The anticipation that came from laying the seeds in the freshly turned dirt was soon rewarded by little sprouts pushing their way up through the soil. The excitement built…until the challenges set in.

First it was the woodchucks…sure they have a cute little tongue twister written about them and in February we like to believe they help predict the coming of Spring (yes, the groundhog & the woodchuck are the same varmint) but when it comes to gardens they are downright EVIL!! Not long after the beans and other veggies popped their heads up, the woodchucks helped themselves to a little snack. The beans were blinged, zinnias zapped, even the squash had been snacked on. I was not happy. We replanted the beans, sprayed some sort of stuff that was supposed to keep away the varmints and hoped. It didn’t work.

While disappointed at the loss of crops, there were a few plants left in the garden. The tomatoes were thriving, and the yellow squash had escaped along with a few others. There was still some hope. Then I turned my back for just a day or so. When I turned back all I could see were WEEDS! I couldn’t believe how quickly they had grown and how hard it was to see anything in the midst of them. Again it seemed hopeless.

Then it happened. One day I walked past the garden and saw something round and green where the tomatoes were planted. “No” I thought, “A tomato couldn’t possibly have survived amidst those weeds, could it?” A closer look revealed it was indeed a healthy green tomato. I weighed the options. I could pick that green tomato, fry it up and no longer think about the weedy tomato patch or I could clear a little space around it to let more sunlight in. The third option was to take the plunge and attack those weeds. It didn’t seem possible that there could be much more hidden in that patch but one day I decided to give it a shot.

I pulled.

I dug.

I sweated.

I got really, really dirty.

But I uncovered the treasure!!

Somehow beneath the piles of weeds the tomatoes had not only lived, they had thrived! They began to mature and develop fruit. The more I cleared the more excited I got. Not only was there one thriving , there were several. In fact all that we planted escaped the woodchucks, and even the weeds couldn’t beat them!

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

While I was clearing those weeds I began thinking about what might be hiding beneath the weeds in my own life. I thought about the hopes and dreams that I have allowed to get drowned out by the weeds of discouragement and fear. Instead of being confident in God’s promise to complete the works He has started in me and working hard to overcome the things that get in the way I gave up hope and just allowed the “weeds” to have their way. I lost sight of the treasure within me but that doesn’t mean the treasure is gone. It may take some more digging and sweating, and certainly faith and determination. But if God began those works in me I can be confident that He will complete them if I allow Him to help me uncover the treasure and fit the proper pieces back into the puzzle in my life.

Are there hidden treasures in your life that you’ve lost sight of? I’d be honored to pray with you that you would begin to believe once again that with God’s help you can uncover those treasures and find the peace that’s hiding beneath the weeds. Drop me a note and let me know how I can pray for you!

Wishing you blessings and peace today!

Paula

Category: Christian

Too Old To Hold?

But does it ever get lonely? Do you ever wish you could go back and climb into someone’s lap to be held and told everything is going to be okay?

He’s waiting for you to rest in the peace only He can give.

In your Father’s eyes you are never too old to hold.

Uncovering Treasure