My oldest son, about five years old at the time, ran towards me wild-eyed and screaming.
“Mommy! Mommy!!! Help me!”
Twenty yards or so spanned the distance between us, but it felt like two thousand yards. I stretched out my arms to him and he collapsed into them, sobbing.
“He was hitting me, Mommy! And he threw a stick at me! It hit me in the head!”
I already knew what had happened; I’d seen it all from the kitchen window. Still, I let him continue to talk as I rubbed his head and held him close, my heart breaking that a mere five year old child could feel so much distress over a situation he didn’t have much control over.
Then, with earnest eyes, he looks up at me. “Mommy, next time you hear me screaming like that, you have to come right away, alright? Don’t wait. Come as fast as you can. I was calling for you, and…”
I hugged him tightly and whispered in his ear, “I did come right away! I heard you calling! It took me a minute get from the kitchen to the back door, honey, but I came as fast as I could.”
“But Mommy, I was calling you…and you weren’t there…”
Sometimes, in my naivety, I have conversations like that with God.
“God, I was calling You, and You weren’t there!”
“God, I needed Your help! Where were You?!”
“Why didn’t You come right away when I called?”
And then I collapse in His arms and He wraps His arms around me, speaking these words into my heart:
”Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4
He is my Sustainer when I’ve done all I know to do.
He is my Rescuer when I am wild-eyed and frightened.
He is the One Who carries me when I’ve fallen at His feet.
And I am reminded that, despite His perceived silence at times ~ despite my absolute blindness at times ~ He is always there, always at work for my ultimate good.
Have you ever had those conversations with God?
Jaime, a pastor’s wife and homeschool mom, is one of the new monthly contributors for the Raising Sons corner. She shares about simple living, homemaking, and whole foods on her blog, Like a Bubbling Brook. She is passionate about nurturing her family, living intentionally, and being debt-free.
Don’t forget to join her and five other bloggers for the Love Around The Block Facebook Party next month! There will be great fellowship, inspiration, and many generous prizes from Vision Forum, Accordance Bible Software, DaySpring, and more. It’s all free and we’d love to have you there!
top image by Jaime G
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Do I ever have these conversations with my Father? Absolutely! It seems lately like these conversations aren’t just occasional exchanges.. but ongoing pleadings. I know in my head that He’s there, waiting.. but my shoulders feel uncovered, like there aren’t any arms there around me.
http://godslove-myworld.blogspot.com/2011/12/alone-but-not-really.html
Sometimes, the loneliness feels like it’s going to crack me right open, and I soak my pillow. But I know He’s there.. and I wait for Him.
“Ongoing pleadings” — yes, there are seasons like that, aren’t there? So glad He guides us through! xoxo
Amen. Amen. Amen. Couldn’t have said it better myself. I like to look back on situations past when I’ve thought, “I (we’re) in a real pickle. I know God is going to get us through this, but I don’t know how. This one is pretty bad.” Then 6 months/1 year later, I look back and think, “I remember how I thought that God possibly couldn’t provide/sustain/rescue me, yet here I am.” God I amazing.
Yes! I’ve been there! It’s so hard when you’re in the middle of it, but oh the blessing in looking back and remembering!
this is beautiful and thoughtful. thanks for sharing. another perfect example of why God is the Father and we are His children.
So true!
That was so beautifully written and absolutely true..
He is Always there even when we feel alone..
You’re a dear, Mrs. Henry! Thank you so much for your sweet words!
Just last night, as amatter of fact. I have been praying for my husband as he deals with depression and other health issues. It seems like my prayers are not being answered BUT I know that God’s timing is better than mine and that God loves my husband more than I could ever imagine.
Thank you for not just putting out there the questions that we ask but the answers we should seek! He IS our rescuer, sustainer, and the One.
Wow, this hits close to home. Thank you so much for sharing! PERSPECTIVE seems to be a theme in my life this week!
Jaime, so beautifully said. What a beautiful analogy. Thank you.
I lost my husband last January and don’t know how I would have made it without the Lord. The day he passed away I had to sit and wait for two hours for my pastor and his wife to come to the hospital to drive me home. The nurse appologized for not being able to sit with me, but I told her I was fine and I was. Someone was with me comforting me, I was not alone…the Comforter….the Holy Spirit filled the room. It’s been a year and I miss my husband terribly…we were best friends for 48 1/2 years but when I get down and the tears flow, the Lord our Resucer and Sustainer always brings me up out of my sadness and I can go on.
Yes, yes, yes! Sometimes the span between us as we run to each other feels unbearable! But He is FAITHFUL.