~Held~

Two months is too little.
They let him go. They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow.
The wise hand opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.
Lyrics to Held~sung by Natalie Grant

That song is one of the most beautiful and powerful songs I have ever heard. I must not be the only one - it has been a chart topper for weeks.

Held - We've all been held by a mom, dad or loved one. As a child I felt safe and loved in my mother's arms. I knew all would be OK, I just had to get over the hump of boos-boos, lost toys or hurt feelings. Then, I'd climb down, and be on my way, knowing, she'd be there if I needed to crawl back up.

Now, being an adult, I have adult size boo-boos, losses and pains - sometimes those chilhood ones don't look so bad after-all. BUT, I have a universe-sized lap I can crawl on to hold me until I am ready to get back on my way in life. The lap of Jesus.

Have you ever had anything sacred torn from you? A relationship, your health, a job or valuables: something that was such a blessing and so cherished you were not sure how you could survive without it? He didn't promise us we wouldn't lose in life - He only promised He would love and hold us through it...He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to His heart. And, what a true beautiful blessing to experience being held by Him. His arms are a shelter from the storms of trials and strengthening in preparation for any other wind that is blowing towards us.

John 16:33 says "I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless owrld you will continue to experience difficulties, but take heart! I've conquered the world. Another versions puts the last 4 words ...I've overcome the world. He has overcome the world! He has overcome our pain; He has overcome our loss; He has overcome ____ from now through the eternity. Think of that. We, I, You have the Father of the universe who will hold us and strengthen us. He will chase away the imaginative monsters in the closet and protect us from the real ones in our room.

There are times in our lives where all we can do is be at peace. We can't fix or change what is happening. We may feel like we not will survive another moment. But, we can crawl on our Father's lap and let Him hold us until we are ready to get back down and do life some more. So, next time your feeling like your world is crashing in all around you, and, you are not sure how you will face the day, close your eyes, imagine crawling up into His arms and be still. He will hold us, if we only learn to let Him.