Got a message from a daughter who was experiencing a rough morning: “I could use a Mom-hug right now.” I sent words of encouragement and love, and a few GIFs of virtual hugs. And God sent a friend of mine who noticed what she needed, and—prompted by the Holy Spirit—gave her a warm hug.
How has your day been? Have you needed a break, a quiet retreat, and change, some loving, a Mom-hug? Or have you been the one to see the need in another and respond?
God sometimes uses others to pull us up into His lap and comfort us.
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. (Philippians 3:13-14, MSG)
When I take up residence in darkness,
in depression,
in helpless hopelessness,
When I am overwhelmed
And see no possibility of relief,
Pull me into Your lap,
cradle me in Your arms,
and I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will joy in the God of my salvation. [Habakkuk 3:18]
Help me to keep my eyes on Jesus,
who both began and finished
this same life race that I’m in.
I will study how Jesus lived;
because He never lost sight
of where He was headed—
that exhilarating finish in and with God—
because of that, He could
put up with anything along the way.
When my faith wavers
remind me of His story item by item,
and shoot adrenaline into my spirit! [Heb. 12:1–3]
Kathleen S Evenhouse 