Leanin on the Everlastin' Arms

Grew up rather unchurched for the most part. But, my grandparents' church was my home. From the time I was very small. And I loved hymns. I found them comforting and full of hope. And, seeing as how my life was so chaotic and things were never very certain, those hymns were like a lifeline of sorts. And one of my very favorites was Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. Loved the catchy tune. You could really belt it out. It was fun to sing. And it spoke to my young heart.
Thinking back, I can see why. "Safe and secure from all alarms". I needed that desperately.
Today I was trying to put my finger on what that looks like or feels like in our world today. It's like the arms that are holding a toddler who falls asleep and becomes so very heavy, but the arms keep holding him close and enjoying the moment. It's like the arms that hold the back of the bicycle seat to steady the bike while the six year old learns to ride down the street.....running along and holding on. It's like the soldier who puts his arms around his fallen comrade and carries him to safety. It's the safe and secure place that you can feel in your very soul. Of knowing that you are loved and carried when you just can't walk another step on your own.
When I was a child, I loved God, but I needed arms that were real and physical and there for me in the here and now. I think that's true for all of us as grown ups too. Easy to say rely on God while completely missing all of the arms He sends your way to help to carry you. Like the hug of a friend. Or a child. A mother's hug is especially healing. Now when I see everlasting arms, it's all of those arms in one picture. Can you see it in your life? All of those arms that have held you, comforted you and given you strength. It's like they all add up over the years. You store it up in your heart. It stays with you forever. Through time and growing, from those first arms that held you as a baby to the arms that reach out now.........all a gift to you. All to keep you safe and secure from all alarms. Don't miss the gift. It's easy to miss it because we tend to keep asking for what we think something should look like instead of recognizing what we have been given as the gift that we need. When you are feeling low and needy and like life is too big, remember the arms through the years. Friends. Children. Spouse. Parents. Siblings. Family. All of those arms. Picture them. Each hug through the years. Each uplifting moment. Those are the everlasting arms that God has sent here on earth to help to carry you through. And isn't it a good picture to look at them all at once? To sense the presence of all of those people all at once. Just goes to prove that a kind deed really does make a difference. Just giving an arm of support sticks in someone's heart and mind forever......where they can go back in and retrieve it anytime they need it. Make those memories for someone else. You never know what or where you will help to carry them through. Be the arms.
blessings,
rhonda