January 23, 2007

Many of you have heard us share about our dad and his influence in our live.  So, as a special treat, we're using something he wrote as the mom-e-moment! I guess it would technically be a dad-e-moment since Daddy wrote it! Hope you enjoy!

Listen to His Heart

“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:1-4

I (Papa) have been memorizing Psalm 139, and have the first few verses fairly well. Actually, I can’t seem to get these verses out of my mind. I have shared them with everyone (probably some folks twice!) I am overwhelmed that God personally searches me and knows me; that he knows every move I make, every thought that I am going to think, and every word I am going to say. Verse 5 just caps it off: “He has laid His hand upon me.” I think of this every day. God is concerned with every detail of our lives!

The Lord illustrated these verses for me one Sunday when my oldest granddaughter, Kalie, came to me at church. I kissed her on the nose, picked her up and sat her in my lap. She lay so peacefully in my arms. I held her close, and ran my finger over the green marker spot on her hand. If she looked up she probably saw a tear trickle down her papa’s cheek as I relished this moment. When I sang, she could hear each note, probably even hear my heart beating as her head rested upon my chest. This little girl was so fragile and delicate, yet so safe, warm and loved. I felt such joy knowing that she trusted me and that she, too, felt joy from my holding her. I was thankful we had this time to stop and rest together.

It was then that the Lord reminded me, “My relationship with you is this personal. I feel the same way about you.” Just as I know Kalie personally, I’m concerned with her comings and goings, I’m familiar with her ways, so to is the Lord with each of us. He knows us so well. I suddenly realized the joy that God feels from knowing us on such an intimate level. He’s not a God who holds us at arms-length. He is thrilled to hold us close and have us rest in the safety of His arms. We only need to stop there and be still. When we do, we’ll know Him. The sound of His voice becomes easier to recognize. His Word comforts us like nothing else. It’s in the closeness when we draw near to Him that we find He really is trustworthy.

I know you’re busy, mom. You probably feel fragile at times. You have green marker sins just like the rest of us. But, you are precious to Him. Sit with Him a while today praying, listening, or reading His word. When we lean upon His chest, we can really know His heart. Be still, if even for a moment, and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10)

Resting in His arms,
Papa Lovejoy

Father, the most “grand” father of all,
In your eyes, I am precious. Life is fragile and I am so frail, but in your arms I am safe, warm and loved. I am thrilled to know the joy you experience as you hold me. Draw me nearer to you…I pray in Jesus name, Amen.