His sobs wailed inconsolable!
And I couldn’t find him.
Other children whooped and hollered as they slid in and out of the red, yellow, and white overhead tunnel maze at our neighborhood Chick-Fil-A.
I dashed from side to side, calling his name while ducking under the twists and turns of bumping knees, smacking feet, and sounds of laughter, hoping to catch a glimpse of my three-year-old grandson. But, I couldn’t see him and he was too lost and too overwhelmed to stop crying and listen for my voice.
A young boy tugged my sleeve. “He’s right up there, ma’am.” And he pointed to a joint that split left and right. He couldn’t see us and couldn’t find his way out, so he sat down and cried. Loud and long. His eyes squeezed shut, scrubbing his little fists in tear puddles. His shoulders shook and my heart shattered. Even though my arms wanted to grab him and comfort his fears, I couldn’t get to him.
“I’ll get him for you.” The kind youngster crawled through the corridors and in seconds had hold of our boy, leading him to safety, and into the arms of his equally bewildered Mimi.
Where are you in the everyday maze of life? Side-swiped by finances. Run-over by relationships. Overwhelmed by chaos. Confused and terrified, not hearing or knowing where or how to find peace and stability from the onslaught of others playing bumper cars in life’s maze. Are you in desperate need of a brother or sister to come alongside and walk with you.
During those heart wrenching times remember, Jesus is right there with you? Wherever you are. His arms open wide, calling your name. Offering comfort and peace, even when you refuse to hear Him. Just like my grandson, do you find yourself slumped in a heap, eyes squeezed shut and sobbing? Shut down–immobilized by fear—unable to move forward?
There is hope. In His name—the name of Jesus. You don’t need fancy prayers. Simple words like “Jesus, help me!” Powerful words. He will calm your fright, dry your tears, and hold you close while the light of His presence shines on your path home.
Cuddled in his Mimi’s arms, a little box of nuggets, fries, and a coke later, our grandson had forgotten his fear of the boys and girls tumbling over and around him, and was ready to exhibit his maze crawling skills. He promised if lost he would be still and listen, knowing his Mimi was watching and waiting to dash to his rescue—just like Jesus watches and waits for your 911 call.
MOVING THE ANCIENT BOUNDARIES 
DiAne, every mom and dad and grandparent out here will know EXACTLY what you’re talking about. I say so often to my sons, “Now that you have a child you love so much, so impossibly much, you FINALLY understand how much I love you.” If we listen, we hear God saying the same thing to us–only He loves each of us beyond any human measure. Thank You, Father. And you, DiAne, for reminding us.
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We are studying the Book of Ephesians in Sunday School and I am so overwhelmed with God’s love and His choosing us. I know with the smallness of my human heart I won’t understand, until that day…
But the memory of Noah in that maze did a bunch to promote my understanding. It also convicts my heart when I think about our instruction to “not grieve the Spirit.” When I think about how many times my words, actions, and attitudes surely grieved God. Sigh.
Did you see my FB post the other day…”TWISTED” is finished and made it’s cyber-space journey to my editor last Friday. Now I’m crossing my fingers and praying she likes it.
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Thank you DiAne for that affirmation today. God has many facets. First and foremost, He is God. Sovereign. Utterly Holy. Wise and loving, which is expressed in a myriad of ways. Some harsh, some gentle; always righteous, for He IS God. His precious, personal presence within the suffering, confusion, and debilitating losses we all experience, is truly my light, my hope, and my stay. My Rock. May the Lord teach us to cry out to Him with childlike trust, as He brings us through to perfect us, establish, strengthen and – i just love it- to settle us. May we learn to genuinely embrace His dominion, that He may be truly glorified through our lives. So beatiful. 1 Peter 5: 6-19
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Deborah, I love your wise comments, repeated from His Word…to settle us! In this day and age we are so full ourselves there’s not much room left for Jesus. How our foolishness must grieve His Spirit. But, we are germinating. Don’t you love that word? I’m writing a blog on that one next week. I’ve spent so many years as a puny seedling, but He takes our mustard seed sized faith and transforms us…isn’t that the promise? I cling to the Word that says: “…when we see Him, we will be like Him.” Yes, like you, He is my Help, my Hope, my Joy! Thanks for reading and commenting. Hope to see your wonderful words here often. ❤
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