Day 52 Safe in His Arms

 

2/22/2025 

I have this print on my wall; it's very special to me. When I'm tired and run down, I sit in my rocking chair, and I feel just like this little lamb - safe in the arms of my Jesus. There's no place I'd rather be than with Him. My little bedroom at the back of the house is my safe place, my prayer room and hiding place  all wrapped in one. It used to be my mother's room when she was ill close to the end of her life. She's since graduated to heaven, so I've taken up residency, but I feel her close. I think she'd like my print, and she'd love to see how well worn my daddy's Bible has become. I have a tendency to wear them out rather quickly, but they have been well loved by more than one. I inherited many treasures from my parents, probably most no one would consider useful. Books and Bibles, with maps and drawings of the Holy Land, prayers for different persecuted groups and prayers for Ramadan. Scriptures cards and articles from the news. I even found a letter I had written one Christmas. I think she kept every little scripture care or book mark my daughter gave her, every trinket from my sister's children. Memories help me feel less lonely, they help me remember better times with my mama, before she got so sick.

Today was a better day, in some ways. I was up most of the night into the morning, watching the news, so I didn't get much sleep. My Shabbat began celebrating the life of a new friend from church. I didn't the opportunity to get to know him well, but I can tell you that he was kind, affable, and he gave good, safe hugs. Although I regret that I did not have the time to become better acquainted, I know I will see him again, and we'll have eternity to swap howdies. He was a "howdy" kind of person.

Four dear ones arrived safely back home this morning, my time. For them it was an all day thing. It was a drawn out procedure, but at least that's four more reunited with their families. Bittersweet moments, as we mourn those who did not return thusly. After they were released, Hamas released a video showing two other hostages in one of their "show vehicles," watching as the others were released. When will these sick games become tedious. This Thursday four more caskets have been promised, but this is only the beginning. With God's help, the people will survive and begin to heal soon, and the high price Israel is paying to ransom their loved ones will be completed. Until then, I will continue to post their faces with names, and we will trust.

If we don't have hope, we have no reason to go on. But with Jesus we can believe and hang on. As we prayed this morning, we prayed for the children of Gaza. These little ones used to play with the other children. Arabs and Jews, playing, laughing, until one day the children from Gaza were told to hate and kill the them. In spite of all that has happened, Israel wants to live at peace with their neighbors, but this has not been possible because of the terrorists who took over. Even so, when we pray, as I pray, I ask God to save them, for them to have dreams of the man in white. I've mentioned this before, but there is such an urgency for the children. They deserve a better life, and until they are delivered of hatred, they will never have peace in their hearts.