My Loving Arms are around You!

My Loving Arms are around You!

Words that should remind us that the embrace of Jesus Christ will always be real.  As he said to his apostles just before ascending back to heaven; “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28: 20).

These are words that assure us the very prayer he gave from John’s Gospel prior to his arrest and crucifixion, during the Last Supper; “Father, they are your gift to me.  I wish that where I am they also may be with me,  that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world .”  (Jn 17: 24).    Words of endearment that will become real in heaven’s glorious existence for all of us.  

The very words that you and I may pray over our own children as they go into the world reaching others with the essence of God’s love and protection.  Please, pray God, that none of us forgets this bon-voyage we can send ours with our protection, at least spiritually. 

When my daughter was leaving for study at IUP my last words were, “No matter what your time away should become a negative occurrence, this door of your home is always open.”  That is exactly what Jesus was talking about as he was ready to give his own life for us.  The very promise of forgiveness is always with each one and our ability to turn away time and again we know the door is always open and he is waiting for our return.  

Arms of love and promise of protection should be a final declaration of our mission to be the life-preserver to those we have been given the privilege of rearing and guiding as loving parents or guardians from infancy throughout their innocent lives.  Innocence is not earned, it is the gift we as guardians hand on to these children, regardless of their age.  

Each time we hear the cry of a child or a scream of discontent, a feeling of comfort should be like a melody to our ears; it is a life learning the very elements of what growing up is all about.  It probably is the same outburst you and I went through and tested the patience of everyone else.  

Welcoming children into life must be the most precious commodity any of us can look forward to.  Without finding scathing comments regarding the abortionists around us, we must pray diligently to God and work to keep Roe vs Wade in the trash bin where it belongs.  It is just one of the signs of a rebellious future that is on the horizon.  Pray that Christ returns soon for our release from the evil that has entered into the world.

Our arms of love must continue to wrap the suffering souls of those around us who have become isolated from the grace of God and bring them back into his presence.

Ralph B. Hathaway