Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for arms...

The gentle arms of my mother when she comforts me and says, "I love you"...

The strong arms of my daddy when he reassures me and says, "It will be ok"...

The loving arms of my husband when he holds me and says, "You mean everything to me" and "together we can do anything"...

The sweet arms of my children when they hug my neck and say, "Mom, you are the best"...

The precious little arms of my grandchildren when they grab me and say, "Nanna, play with me"...

The comforting arms of a sister in Christ when she pulls me over and says, "I am praying for you"...

But most of all,

I am thankful today for

The Everlasting Arms

That enfold me with love

Support me with strength

Comfort me with peace and assurance

And shield me from harm

Everlasting...forever and ever...with no end...Amen!

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on
the everlasting arms;
What blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on
the everlasting arms.

Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from
all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day
to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so
near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

A Daddy’s Desire

Once upon a time, there was a daddy with two little girls. One of his daughters lived close to him, and the daddy was able to enjoy time with her. He called her Munchkin. The other daughter lived far away and the daddy was unable to see her very often. He called her Balki.

As children are inclined to do, Balki and Munchkin grew quickly. Munchkin was with her daddy often and played, laughed, and stole her daddy's heart.

Balki had not been home in over a year and her daddy's heart broke every time he thought about her.

Munchkin was cuddled and kissed and rocked in daddy's arms.

Daddy's arms ached to cuddle and rock Balki and his lips longed to give her a kiss.

This daddy's greatest desire was to have both his daughters close to him...at home with him...safe with him. He tried to call Balki to talk to her, but most of the time, the calls would go unanswered.

Still, he watched...and waited...and hoped...for the glorious day he would see Balki running home to be in his arms.

I know a daddy that...

Loves his daughters

Misses his daughters

Laughs with his daughters

Cries with his daughters

Prays for his daughters

Thanks God for his daughters

He has made some mistakes

Regretted some things

Forgotten some things

Learned some things

But always, his heavenly Father was watching...and waiting...and hoping...for that glorious day this daddy son would run home...

And now, this daddy has rededicated his life to God. He is beginning to understand that the love, joy, and delight he feels for his children, is felt even greater by his heavenly Father for him.

The road is ahead is long...the daddy does not know which way it will lead...he does not know when his child will come home...but this he does know...he is not alone....

Earthly Embraces and Heavenly Hugs

Hugs are wonderful! Some of the best memories of my childhood were running in to the open arms of my Mother and Daddy and finding comfort, love, and strength. When scrapes and bruises happened, she said, “Come here now…it will be alright”. When the thunder cracked or a spider crawled near, he said, “Come on now, you don’t have to be afraid because I will take care of you”. “When I would go visit my grandparents, they said “Come here child…we have missed you so much.” When I grew up and found that special someone and my heart was bursting with love, he said, “Come here…. you are mine and I will love you forever”.

Our Heavenly Father is standing with His arms open wide and He yearns to be able to tell us:

Come here now, it will be alright…

Come on now, you don’t have to be afraid because I will take care of you….

Come here child, I have missed you so much….

Come here….you are mine and I will love you forever……

Won’t you run to those arms now…….

He is waiting…..with a heavenly hug

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 TNIV