Safe In My Arms

We went to our daughter and son-in-love’s church for Easter.
It was an opportunity to be with three of our grandchildren.
Our oldest daughter was there as well.
It was a smaller group than we are used to, but still so wonderful to be together.

My granddaughters were in their Easter dresses with little button down sweaters.
I saw their dress shoes and remembered the days when my daughters were similarly dressed.
Downstairs, near the entrance, there was a tray of Easter cookies.
My almost two-year-old granddaughter was happily biting a cookie that looked like a baby chick.

Her dress was yellow and so was the cookie.
It was impossible to see any of the wayward crumbs that inevitably fell from her mouth.
Both of my granddaughters had matching bows in their hair.
They love to wear dresses to church, but this day was a special occasion.

After a welcome from the pastor, the worship began.
My oldest daughter was holding her youngest niece.
When one song was over and the next began, it was time to switch.
Her oldest niece got a turn in her aunt’s arms.

My almost two-year-old granddaughter looked at her aunt now holding her sister.
She looked up at me.
First, her big eyes pleaded.
Then, her arms went up into the air.

It doesn’t take much to melt this Grandma’s heart.
I bent down and swooped her into my arms.
Her yellow dress billowed around her legs that she had wrapped them around me.
She, with her beloved Teddy in her arms, laid her head upon my shoulder.

I sang the worship songs that were projected on the screen.
As if on cue, the Mommy rock began, except in this case it was the Grandma rock.
It is well known.
It is a slow, gentle swaying that happens whenever a baby or young child is in your arms.

As I sang, my mouth was next to her ear.
I was singing to the Lord, but I was singing to my granddaughter as well.
I looked down at her, so content in my arms.
It was then I noticed; she was actually getting heavier.

She was so content in my arms, she began to relax.
As she relaxed, it seemed that she got heavier by the minute.
I knew that she would soon close her eyes.
I could begin to feel the weight; a few muscles in my back let me know it was enough.

I gently sat down while everyone else was standing.
I continued the gentle swaying in the seat.
I continued to sing into her ear as she and Teddy still had their heads on my shoulder.
If she fell asleep, I wanted to be able to have her cuddle against my chest.

I was grateful for this moment.
I was grateful for the trust that this little one has in her Grandma’s arms.
I was grateful for my back that allowed me to hold her for as long as I did.
I was grateful.

Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge. (Psalm 16:1)

I held my granddaughter and thought how wonderful it is to feel so safe and so loved.
I realized that I am being held by my Heavenly Father.
I am in His arms.
He is keeping me, protecting me, and comforting me.

I looked down at my granddaughter’s sweet face in my arms.
The love I have for her, and all of my grandchildren, overwhelms me.
It is only a glimpse of the love that God has for me.
I may not physically see His arms around me, but they are there.

I may not see His eyes looking down into mine, but they never stop looking at me.
I may not audibly hear His voice in my ear, but He speaks to my heart through His Word.
I may not hear Him singing in my ear, but God’s Word says He rejoices over me in singing.
He delights in me.

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

God loves us as if we are the only ones in the world.
Do you know the tender love of God?
Do you know that He sings over you in delight?
Do you know that you are His beloved?

You are!
You really are!

2 responses to “Safe In My Arms”

1. Gina, how nice your Easter Resurrection Sunday was so special in many ways!
   And how well I can identify with the ‘Grandma rock’ that you mention, I love it!
   We shared Easter morning church service with J and family this year as we like to alternate each year with both our children, similar to you

   So grateful for the everlasting love of my heavenly Father as you describe…unchanging, unconditional, forever loved through eternity…thank you Jesus!✝

   Reply

   • Amen, Carolyn!
     So wonderful to know that we are deeply loved by our heavenly Father.
     Gina

     Reply