In My Father’s Arms
I often gazed upon this picture taken in October 2021 of my son, Ryan and his family, at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. When they sent the photo to me, I enlarged it and set it on my desk. Why? The terrified looks and reactions of my granddaughters evoked so much laughter and lifted my spirits on days when things got too serious in my life. But the more I gazed at the picture, the more my eyes opened to what God really wanted me to see.
This picture depicted a moment on their tour of the adventure. While listening to the tour guide and standing in front of an opening lined with lush green trees and beautiful natural scenery, all seemed calm. My grandchildren never anticipated the perceived danger that lurked behind them—the giant dinosaur creeping its way to destroy their fun, peace, and stability. And then it happened. The velociraptor thrust out of the opening behind them with fierce roaring and attack gestures. Hence, the picture moment!
My oldest granddaughter, Noah, filled with great fear, took off—she straight up left her entire family! In the moment, the only thing she was thinking about was getting as far away from the danger as possible.
My second granddaughter, Mathai, also frighten for her life, chose to hide from the danger. She buckled down under the pressure and grabbed onto someone else. Since her mother was the closest thing to her at that time, she hung onto her for dear life. You can’t help but laugh when you look at their responses.
But then I noticed my grandson, Judge. During all this chaos, he sat peacefully and still. He refrained from running or hiding even though the danger lurked. Why? Because he sat in his father’s arms! His daddy held him and that’s all the protection he needed! Wow!
I felt that way about my earthly father. Daddy represented my provider and protector. His big strong arms gave me security and warmth. But he taught me that my Heavenly Father’s arms always provided everything I needed.
If I am truthful, during times of distress, fear, or impending danger, I sometimes find myself initially responding like Noah. I run away instead of running to my Heavenly Father’s arms. Or like Mathai, I try to hide or run to people. The pressure weighs me down. It’s not until I remember the words of my earthly father to rest in the arms of my Heavenly Father that my perspective changes. In Him and His Word, I find peace and stability from all the giants that try to evade my life.
If your earthly father still lives on this side of eternity and provides security and protection for you as much as he can, thank him this Father’s Day. If your father is with the Lord, thank the Lord for him.
But always remember that we all have a Heavenly Father with arms wide open to forever protect us from the giants of this life. Danger will come, but like Judge, we can rest peacefully in our Father’s arms knowing that He will protect us.
I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that my earthly father taught me about my Heavenly Father. When faced with fears beyond my control, God wants me to run to Him—not from Him. He wants me to seek Him first instead of hiding and seeking help from others. He wants me to grab onto His word to prevent the pressures of this life from weighing me down. Knowing God will provide the protection I need, I can always rest in my Fathers’ arms. Why? Simply…
