Get Close
Sometimes my grandsons just have to touch me. We can be playing trucks or train and suddenly my big-for-his-age four year old is in my lap, my growing-too-big two year old is putting my arm around him, and my too-heavy-to-lift one year old needs to bury his head in my shoulder.
Every now and then, usually when something like the loss of a loved one has happened – or tragedies like this past week – I just want to crawl into Jesus’ lap like a toddler and lay my head on His shoulder.
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 NIV) Must remember: though the distance between here and eternity may seem vast, He is oh so close.
A few thousand years ago, David, the one with the tag line ‘a man after God’s own heart’ – wrote numerous verses asking ‘how long, O Lord, will it be before You answer’? Some answers we see, others not so much, and perhaps never. For the answers we seek aren’t always God’s plan. Is He still good?
How we answer that question will look a lot like how well we know Him. A pastor recently said, “God is near, but you have to come close.” Only one way to get close, to hear Him, to know He is good no matter what: His Word, the Bible.
“Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” (James 4:8 NLT)
I can testify to His lap that I cannot see now, His arm around me that I can sense, and I have buried my head in His shoulder many, many times.
But I didn’t always know His closeness – and still sometimes I forget it. Sometimes I feel like I’m all on my own. The gentle reminder of a friend or His Holy Spirit draws me back to what is truth, what is real, and what is mine. Today, you and I, we can draw close and make it through one more day – for He is a moment to moment God and time is in His hands.
parisrenae 
I’m sometimes jealous of the disciples who lived in the days when Jesus walked the earth because they got to see him with their physical eyes and touch and be touched with physical hands. Nonetheless, I’m grateful for his touch through my grandkids too and others who love me and whom I love. Beautiful post.
LikeLike
Lisa, yes, I know what you mean. Someday we will have that touch and it will be amazing. Til then we just get as close as we can – because He’s right here. Amen!
LikeLike
Such a sweet post! I watch my granddaughter four days a week. Lately I have had to lie down with her so she will nap. No matter how we lay on the bed, in her sleep, she scoots closer and closer to me. You have now made me realize why her actions are so sweet to me. They are reminiscent of how we will one day be able to get oh so close to our Lord. Till then, I am grateful we can draw close to Him each day through His Word and prayer. And you shared one of my very favorite songs!
LikeLike
What a joy to have them and impart our love for Jesus to them. May she come to know Jesus at an early age and walk with Him all her days. Blessings as you get close and feel His loving arms…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Paris, that has been my prayer for my children, and now each of my granddaughters. Thank you for blessing me with your words, your prayer, and connection today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen. Thank you for sharing this blessed post. One of my very favorite praise songs too. Blessings.
~Selah ~
LikeLike
Woke up with that song playing in my head this morning – right when I needed it. He is so good to us. No calamity can touch us – His promises are true, though on this earth we may have woes, this is not all there is – hallelujah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Halleiujah indeed.
LikeLike
Yes, indeed – faith eyes, may we look and see the greatness surrounding us…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so thankful that He is Faithful to draw close to us in response to our drawing closer to Him. It’s such a precious promise.
LikeLike
Yes, He is faithful, and it’s us who wander, He never does. Blessings as you get close and find Him right there…
LikeLike