It’s the last Sunday of my month to serve in Nursery and I’m hanging out with the Toddlers. I look forward to this chance to see my niece’s daughter Pbay (Penelope) and interact with her one on one. If it weren’t for Sundays I’d never get to blow bubbles and play on the floor with her.
It is usually a fun time.
But today P is not her usual self. Most often playing the role of Helper Bee when others are fussy, handing out fishy crackers to a fellow 2 year old who won’t stop crying, proffering stickers to make others smile, today her favorite word is ‘No!’
L reaches for the play telephone and clearly Penelope is in no mood to share. I could force her, hand over hand, to give him the toy, but forcing someone to share when they don’t want to is soooo counterproductive.
Can you relate?
Another playmate K wants to hold the noisemaker she has, reaching for Penelope’s lap where it rests.
“No!” ‘No’ with a scowl and a wrinkled brow.
And no wonder–Penelope’s mother has a new baby at home–10 days old, to be exact–and P is feeling one-upped for sure. Mom also can’t hold her or pick her up because she’s post Caesarean, so add that to the grumpy factor. Yes, Penelope is having a bad day.
Can you relate?
So, unlike the other Sundays where we hang out and eat snacks, roll a ball and scribble on Jesus-y pictures, the only place Penelope wants to be today is in my lap.
She toddles towards the rocker where I sit and crawls up, nestling close. Viewing the room from here, she is content to be held at my chest, while I protect her from her bothersome playmates.
She just wants to be still and feel safe.
Can you relate?
I think about that place–still, safe, held–as I read a verse in Chapter 55 of Isaiah.
It’s week 7 of memorizing (which I’ve never attempted before) and this chunk of Scripture speaks loudly to me:
space that belongs to God alone.
Join us?
{Inspired by the book, LOVE IDOL, by Jennifer Dukes Lee}
releasing APRIL Fool’s Day. No kidding.
Kel, I am learning to rest in that love and gentleness more and more each day. It's nice to 'hear' from you.
You are a wise, wise woman. I adore you. Thank you for being a part of the journey. You mentor me with your words here.
I see his unconditional love, even in my unrighteous ways of trying to fill my own needs in ways outside of His love and gentleness! Lovely, warm embrace of a post with truth laced right up to meet us where we live! Thanks Jody!
This reminds of this song that I sing when I really need to return to him and need his grace…”I'm breathing in your grace and breathing out your praise…forever I'll be…”-Paul Baloche
I am wretched and I need him even when I am rebelling so to speak. Hugs!
I love the picture you paint – of just needing to climb into Him for comfort! So glad your niece had that time to do that with you – and so glad you showed us we can do that with the Father!
love.this.
and I can't imagine who wouldn't want to belong to Him!
Isn't it something how the children teach us? And memorization too … it makes me look deeper into the words of Scripture. Beautiful, Jody. I'm resting in the thought of being held tonight.
Lisa, thanks for your kind words. God uses everything to speak to us, doesn't He? (If I am listening….:;)
Ugochi,you are right….He runs after us. Praise his name. Thank you for reading!
Jody, you do it every time… seeking to apply what you read in God's Word, you find the most amazing insight in the everyday. “Still, safe, held.” Ah, yes, may I turn toward Him.
Hmnn… This is a very clear picture of us and our God. He is always waiting with open arms when we turn from Him to things, waiting for us to turn back to Him. I am glad He does not give up on us, He is Love personified. Thank God I found Him, or rather He ran after me and picked me up…
It is definitely easy to disconnect from words like “wicked” and “unrighteous” and think that's someone else. But I've definitely still got my fair share of self-centeredness that I need to repent of DAILY. I'm so thankful that God is like you say:
“God is so like that. Welcoming. Gentle. Larger than my me-centered life.”
And I'm thankful that Penelope had such an insightful aunt in the room with her to understand her grumpies. 🙂
Jody, this is lovely. I am so thankful that our Abba is compassionate. I can't wait to actually sit in His lap.