Her little 30-inch long body wraps around my torso. Legs secure just above the waist. One arm around the shoulder and across the back. Fingers gripping fleece sweater. Head leaning in attached at the chest. Tight, squeeze. Her little body as close as it can be outside the womb.

This has become a common picture of my daughter and I this week. She has been more attached, snuggly. As her momma, I drink it in. I know these moments are short. I know these moments won’t last forever. So I close my eyes, curve my lips, and thank our God for now. For right now.

As I felt her little body wrapped around me this morning I could see God in it. As a mother I love, I cherish the times my daughter comes to me. The times she seeks me for love, affection, safety, security. I am honored to be there for her. It makes me smile when she comes to me.

And our Father? He likewise. He so delights in us coming to Him. When we come in need, in need of love, affection, safety, and security He is there. God, our Father the ultimate Provider.

I spent a season of my life looking elsewhere. Running to relationships, dreams, success, behaviors to meet my needs, to fulfill me. Even though I knew He would meet me, I refused. I refused to receive pure love, affection, safety, and security. I refused to admit I needed God, that I needed Jesus Christ as my Savior. The One to wash me from the inside out.

What I didn’t realize was that God didn’t want to just clean me up and leave me naked with red scrub burns. No, He wanted to wash me, cloth me in white, walk with me and embrace me. God wanted a genuine, compassion filled relationship with me.

When I finally realized this. When I finally took off my shades and saw the true Creator I found love, affection, safety, and security.

Parenthood is such a beautiful example of God and the relationship He wants with His children. The big difference is that God is Perfect!

As my daughter comes to me. As she wraps her 30-inch long body around me I will praise the Lord. I will praise Him for both the past revelation and the present love and continual healing. I will hold my daughter tight and remember the picture. I will remember how God holds me too. While I hold her, HE holds me, He holds us both. We are safe in His love.

I challenge you likewise. It may be in your children or God may have another way. Keep your eyes open. He wants to show you, tell you…you are loved. You are cherished. You are safe and secure in His love. 

 

Psalm 139:13-14 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. ESV

1 John 2:1-2 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. NLT

Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. ESV