Isaiah 49:15-16 (New International Version)
15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.
Tonight I shared some stories with another parent about the experiences of temporarily loosing a child. One thing we agreed upon is that the experience was certainly difficult for the children, but very terrifying and painful for us as parents. In fact in one case, the child never knew they were even lost.
It made me think about my life, and how often I have been lost and never even knew it. This at times is noticed by some, but is always noted by God. And God watches in pain and sorrow, because as I rush through life, It is too easy to miss the signs of Gods love, grace and presence.
There are times when I absolutely know I may be on the wrong track. There are other times that things just move too fast. Expectations placed upon myself by myself, and others keep a fast paced drive to accomplish, achieve and assist on the agenda. The temptation to drive forward fast overpowers the need to slow down and read the signs. Eventually, inevitably, someone or something grabs hold and offers help in love. It hurts to be lost and it becomes tiring when your moving too fast to realize it.
Today I was blessed with the gift of other people, and events that slowed me down. And when I caught my breath, I could once again see the many signs of Gods love and grace.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for always remaining a part of our life, loving us unconditionally, even when we are lost and going nowhere fast. Bring peace to our world, hope to those without hope, comfort to those in pain and fulfillment to all who search meaning, purpose and love. Help us remember, even when we forget to slow our lives enough to experience your love, you will never forget us! Amen.
Take time to pray, take time to love
In Christ
Pastor Rob