Reaching Out
It was one of those mornings where I needed a minute to myself.
The girls were duking it out over some trivial matter, no doubt. I can't remember.
I sat at the dining table to decompress and absorb the moment.
The girls were watching a cartoon while snacking.
Penn took her plate to the kitchen.
I smiled as I saw her walk past. She is growing, I thought.
Each of my daughters are unique. Special. One of a kind.
In the busy of life, the chaos of day to day activities, I don't stop to smell the roses as much as I should.
She placed her plate on the counter and turned to head back to the living room.
I reached out my arm as if to draw her in for a hug, warm smile on my face.
As she came from the kitchen, her head immediately swiveled toward the living room as she casually walked back to her spot on the couch, to resume her cartoon.
My arm felt a little heavier, lingering in midair. I could say the same for my heart.
As I brought my arm back to myself, I was reminded of how we do the same to God. Whether intentional or inadvertent, we turn from God's plan and his promptings in our life.
God is faithful. He never leaves us or forsakes us (Deut. 31:8). He never changes (James 1:17). He is always present, ready to forgive and show his love and compassion (Psalm 86:5, 2 Peter 3:9).
As it says in Revelation 3:20, "See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."
It is clear that God consistently offers redemption, new mercies daily, through his Son's work on the cross and through all of creation proclaiming his glory (Neh. 9:6, Rev. 4:11). We turn away. We walk away. We ignore the prompting. We are distracted.
I'm sure Penn didn't mean to snuff my warm gesture. I'm sure it wasn't intentional. She was focused on something else, entertainment. Returning to what she was doing before.
Are you intentionally walking away from God in your heart or by your actions? Where do you run when you are sad or upset? To what do you turn when you are happy or devastated? How do you spend your time and what would that say about your priorities? Are there idols in your heart that need to be addressed and confessed before Him?
I praise God that he is gracious to me. Some days I feel like I do nothing but fail. But in that feeling of failure, I am reminded of my dire need for my savior. For his mercy and patience toward me. In my inadequacy, I recognize that I cannot become more like Christ on my own. As John 15 says, we must remain in Christ to produce fruit, just as a branch must remain apart of the tree.
Am I setting time aside each day to read scripture, pray, meditate on it, and act upon it?
Am I calling to the Holy Spirit to give me strength and patience when I feel I have none left to give?
Am I acknowledging my need for wisdom and grace as I try to relate to others and grow in my relationships?
Apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Turn to Christ, He is always available. He cares for you.
1. I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
2. My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3. He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber.
4. Indeed, the Protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep.
5. The Lord protects you;
the Lord is a shelter right by your side.
6. The sun will not strike you by day
or the moon by night.
7. The Lord will protect you from all harm;
he will protect your life.
8. The Lord will protect your coming and going
both now and forever.
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