[Tweet “The eternal #God is your #refuge, and underneath are His #everlasting #arms #safety”]

Duet. 33:27

For all you snugglers out there- I ask you- What could ever be better than snuggling a baby or toddler in your arms, heart beat to heart beat- soul to soul???

I was rocking our granddaughter, Cadence (1) the other day.  Ahhhhh- Contented Bliss! The experience could have been sold as an “All is right with the world- Peaceful Elixer.”  It was a “Do not disturb- I wish I could bottle this feeling and have it on hand when I’m stressing out” moment.

Snuggling has a beautiful by-product; it releases the endorphins that give the feeling of complete safety and provision. When you encircle someone with your arms, doesn’t it literally feel like you’re shutting out all the world and cocooning them in a shelter of love?

[Tweet “What a #fellowship, what a #joy divine- leaning on His #everlasting arms. #comfort #safety”]

Cadence sighed. Eyes shut she buried deep into the mama “sweet spot”. Then her little hand found a strand of my hair. She began to twirl it around her fingers.

Snap. Deja vou.

Memories flooded my heart and mind from what seems like another lifetime.

Transported back to vivid memories of thirty years ago, I was once again snuggling our one year old daughter, Kristin Faith.  Oh, Kristin loved to snuggle and when she snuggled and she loved to twirl my hair.  Soon after her 1st birthday, we received the diagnosis that our baby girl had cancer. Those snuggling times multiplied.  Kristin and I were pretty much inseparable for the remaining year she lived.

I felt like she lived in my arms.

I would have held her forever.

I usually push away any memories of Kristin’s home going to heaven because it was such a gut-wrenching time.  The hardest thing for me was holding her close, determined to keep her safe in my arms- and yet my arms weren’t enough to stop death from coming. Emptiness engulfed me.

[Tweet “To be #absent from the #body is to be #present with the #Lord. #safely #home”]

Now I knew- at least in my head- that she was “with the Lord”.  But having never seen the Lord or heaven, that really wasn’t that much of a comfort.   To be honest- I just wanted her back in my arms.  I certainly didn’t want my 2 year old all leaving me and going off with strangers. (even if heaven is full of wonderful people, angels, and God- I wanted to take care of my little girl 🙂  )  Who would hold her or love her as much as I?

The memory of holding Kristin that last day played out in my mind, something was different this time.

I saw myself on the couch holding Kirstin.  But this time I saw something new! I saw Jesus was on the couch and His arms were wrapped around me. We were safe in His arms!

WOW!

Why had I  always envisioned myself so alone while holding Kristin? He was there all the time!

The lie was finally replaced by the Truth!  The arms of God were surrounding us. He had been holding us and has never let go of either one of us. I was never alone! We were safe- even in the valley of the shadow of death.

[Tweet “The biggest #lie is that God doesn’t care. #everlasting #refuge #GodIs4U”]

My heart “heard” the Lord say, “Cindy, You underestimate my love and depth of commitment. I don’t let go of my children.  I have been and will be with you always. My arms of love are abiding, unending, constant;  and they are for you! No matter what comes, good or bad times- even death, my everlasting arms are around you.  Whether you feel it or not, you are always safe in my arms.”

Ahhhhh- Contented Bliss! The experience of knowing the Eternal God wraps His arms around us and doesn’t let go produces an “All is right with the world- Peaceful Elixer.”  It was a Miraculous Moment of Grace.

Dearest friends!  Don’t believe the lie that God is absent. He is with us every breath, every step, every thought, every trial. His arms are your shelter.

I am not alone.  You are not alone.  Never.  We can snuggle into His everlasting arms!  In His strength and provision, we can rest and not fear.

Surprising Treasures:What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

• Refrain:
  Leaning, leaning,
  Safe and secure from all alarms;
  Leaning, leaning,
  Leaning on the everlasting arms.
• Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
  Leaning on the everlasting arms;
  Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
  Leaning on the everlasting arms.
• What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
  Leaning on the everlasting arms?
  I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
  Leaning on the everlasting arms.