This Day…
Sometimes loved ones are just too far away. Maybe no longer here on earth. Maybe living more than a short car ride away. Maybe separated by walls put up with harsh words.
Every now and then I catch the scent of my mom (a blanket or scarf tucked away) and I stop and sigh. When our oldest son went in the Navy we were so lonely for him that any young man about his height in the distance made me stop and hope.
So how far away is too far? How do broken, lonely hearts span the gap of distance – time? Well this is how God does it: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8b NIV)
Yes, God longs for us more deeply than we do for those we miss. As parents long for grown children to be ten once again, so the God who knit us together and gave us breath longs for our presence. He beckons ‘come’ – just a few moments in prayer or reading His love letter to us. From Genesis to Revelation there is the common thread of a Father longing for His children.
We are the prodigals – way off course and trying to find our way back. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him…he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20 NIV) God doesn’t meet us half way, He spans the distance with the cross.
God throws His arms around us. Maybe we need to throw our arms around not only those we love and long for. Daily our paths will cross the lost ones of other’s, can we help them find their way into His presence and His forever?
Where to start? I love the old praise song ‘This is The Day‘. Yesterdays are behind us and can only be learned from, not lived in. Tomorrows can’t be counted on. But today, today is the day the Lord has made. Let our gladness in it be what speaks to the souls in our path. Let’s start there.
If you stopped by because you read my devotion today over at Encouragement Cafe, WELCOME! So glad you are here!
parisrenae 
Love this! I’m feeling that distance from my children right now and you encouraged my heart!
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Oh, I know the feeling. Blessings dear one, He loves you and them so much…
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So true. I just shared with my daughter that it is a fact, we’ll live longer if we visit more frequently!! 😋
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Aww, yes you certainly know the whole distance dilemma, but you’ve got Jesus right there with you. Blessings on your travels…
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Such great reflections! I pray that we long for the presence of our Savior in the same ways we long for our children! No matter how old we are, I am so thankful to be a child safe in the Lord’s arms. Thanks for sharing, and God bless!
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Safest place to be for sure – blessings as you love those He puts in your path and as He covers you with His love daily 🙂
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“…spans the distance with the cross.” How beautiful, Paris. ♥ Hope you have a wonderful weekend, friend.
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What a great focus to start off THIS DAY! 🙂 Praying you have a blessed weekend loving on those around you. I was your neighbor yesterday at Brenda’s Linkup.
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
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Sherry, He has all our days, so good to know He’s with us every step – as you step out for Him may you be blessed as you touch others for eternity.
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