We went to a beautiful Christmas service with our daughter, Jessica, and grandson, Parker, last night at our dear friend’s church. We were not sure how Parker would behave. He is three, as he will proudly show you by lifting three tiny fingers. At the tender age of three, he can be a bit unpredictable ( can I get a witness from some parents out there?!). He was tired and a little hungry, but he LOVED the service. At one point, he was the first one to clap at the end of a song ( adorable) and enjoyed the music intensely. I looked over at one point and he had turned around and completely hidden himself in his Paw-paw’s shoulder ( picture above). He didn’t want anyone else last night. Only his Paw-paw would do, which I understand- his Paw-paw is pretty amazing 🙂 As we were walking him inside, I was telling David how precious it was to see Parker hug him so tightly and so intensely. Parker looked at me and said, ” I can hide my face in Paw-Paw’s shoulder when I tired.”
As I looked at the picture I took last night of Parker hiding in his Paw-paw’s shoulder, something deep inside of me related to Parker’s tender heart. Sometimes we are tired, weary, and feel so alone. We would love to just have a safe place of rest. We desperately need a place to just be held, loved, protected, and cherished. Thank God for our Savior.
Matthew 11:28 says, ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” We have a Savior that wants nothing more than for us to climb in His lap, bury our heads, and find our peace and rest. In this busy Christmas season, many of us are struggling. We plaster on happy faces with weeping hearts. We are so sad, so lonely, so tired. We have real struggles in the middle of the parties and gatherings. I am reminded by the tender mercies of a grandfather for his grandson that we have a place to go. Cry to your Father in heaven. He promises to NEVER leave or forsake you ( Deuteronomy 31:6) and He is familiar with whatever you are going through. Climb into His tender arms of mercy today. He has been waiting for you to find your rest in Him.
Courtnay Aycock