Day 74 My Best Friend

3/15/2025

 

Let me introduce you to my Best Friend. He's been with me since I have been old enough to understand, and I've known His Name for a very long time. So, that little girl seated above beside Jesus is me. I've spoken about my closeness to my grandparents, and I've mentioned my safe places and favorite spot. Well, there's so much more to me, especially as relates to this little girl you see above. I never sat in the corner of a log cabin, although my perfect home, the one I've dreamed of having, is a quaint, little log cabin in the woods, nestled high in the mountains where I can see the stars and dream of my real home. There's a mountain stream, wild flowers, and a forest so thick and green. I'm visited by forest friends and night owls, and pesky raccoons, and there's always a fire glowing and a kettle on the stove.

Jesus has always been near me, even when I wasn't aware of His presence. He's the one who has His hand on me, steadying me as I learned to ride my bike or picked me up when I shinned my knees. And yes, He's sat with me so many times as a child, listening to my thoughts and fears, silly things to many, but He never criticized my tender heart. And now that I'm much older, in many ways, I am still that little girl sitting in the corner of my mind, seeking His presence, needing to hear His voice say things are going to be okay. I don't distrust His words to me, rather I need to just hear it again sometimes. Much as the disciples did when they couldn't understand what He was saying about going away. They didn't want Him to leave them. At first things were going so well back at the beginning for the followers of Jesus, but then the more He became known and gained recognition, the fire began to fall. That's the way it is with a child of God, sparks fly once the devil gets a talon into someone's flesh. O, why, Lord, can't they see?

The same is true today. So many people are blinded by what is happening in this world, but Jesus spoke about that too. He said there was coming a time when things would become very bad. I guess the disciples really didn't understand how anything could get worse. They were hoping the Savior would come and destroy the Romans, and they would be free. But, they misunderstood the scriptures, or actually, they were taught wrongly, or maybe that part wasn't taught by the leaders at the synagogue, as they are not taught in churches today. After all, who wants to hear bad news or about storms blowing in from the north?! We still have a way to go. No one wants to listen to Jesus, even when signs are all around us. This little girl sat at Jesus' feet, and she listened. Back then no one really understood either, and when she shared, she was criticized and judged, even when the truth was given in all the love a body can hold.

Why is it that parents don't want to believe their children? Why is it that no one takes the time to see within the heart of a young one? These really aren't questions, just my thoughts as I sit here this morning talking with my Best Friend. You see, He's never left me after all these years. Not true of so many in whom I placed my trust, but that's okay, because Jesus is still here with me. And truth be told, had I listened to Him back then, I could have spared myself a lot of hurt. You see, He's not a man, so He doesn't lie, but He will let you know the truth, not because He's cruel, but quite the opposite. The love of Jesus is the love of God our Father portrayed within the heart of Jesus, His Son. That's another thing the disciples didn't understand. They wanted Jesus to show them the Father, when He was standing right there in front of them. I don't get it, and I don't get it today all these years later. Why couldn't they recognize Him?

Jesus is coming back. Soon, I hope, but then there's a side of me that wants Him to wait a little longer. It's not for selfish reasons, unless it's selfish to want other people to wake up. So many people are asleep, walking around, doing just what they want to do. They think that because God loves them that it's okay to live contrary to God's rules, but that just isn't so. They think He understands, and He does, but not as they think. Living any way you choose, after being taught the scriptures, knowing what you're doing is wrong, trying to justify it, just because everyone else is doing it and patting you on the back, won't fly in the face of a Holy Father. He wants the best for us. I've had to learn that the hard way, the times when I wasn't paying attention to what my Friend was telling me. So, hopefully, if people will listen they can be spared hurt and pain. As a little child we're told not to touch a hot stove, but the rebellious part of us has to try it out. It burns, and the pain sometimes never completely goes away. That's the way it is with eternity, and that eternal flame is much hotter, and it burns forever. There is no escape.