Our grandchildren are amazing, and being able to spend time caring for them is a real honour. My littlest grandchild is only 8 months old and only very recently has his mum started leaving him with us. He is an easy-going little chap, and we are loving getting to know him and his foibles. He is eating solids now, and loves his food – often, if tears threaten, giving him something to ‘gum’ on will rapidly divert him. He does nap too – especially in the pram. He can be quite content with us for an hour or two, especially if his big sister and brother are around. But when mummy walks back into the room, everything changes. He sees her and his little face crumples. He wants to be held by her and nothing and no -one else will do.
Like a weaned child
I was meditating on this. While we could care for our grandson’s needs, bring him a measure of comfort, keep him entertained, we could never replace the love and trust that exists between him and his mother. The one who he has looked to, to meet his needs for all of his short life. The one who nurtured him in her womb and has carried and protected him since.
It made me think of that verse in the psalms,
‘Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.’ Psalm 131:2 NKJV
The picture is of a small child who has been well cared for. Fed and provided for by one who loves them unconditionally. In the context, the Psalmist is talking about trusting God and not being worried about things too troubling or profound for us.
Finding comfort
I hope it is OK to imagine myself as a child being held by God. Sitting in the lap of a Heavenly Father who loves me and knows me better than anyone else does. Knowing that when I am with Him, I am safe, protected and all my needs are met.
When we are going through difficult times, we look for comfort. During a recent bout of illness, I found comfort in watching Netflix, snuggled under a blanket on my sofa! We can find comfort in food, in hobbies, in nature. Sometimes we reach out to a loved one, or friend, and they prove to be kind and loving, wise and comforting. God has surrounded us with things that bless us, good things many of them.
The One who comforts best
I have come to lean, through all the tough things that I have gone through, that however good those comforting things or people are, there comes a point when only one place of comfort will do. There will come a moment where I will be driven back to the greatest place of comfort and security. I go back to God, back to my Father, and I lean into His embrace and I listen for His words of reassurance. I know I can trust Him fully to know just the right things to say and do to bring me back to a place of peace and contentment. To comfort and quieten my soul.
I wonder is His the face you long to see above all others? His the embrace you want to lose yourself in? His the voice that will quieten all your cries? I hope that you have found Him to be the God of all comfort. He has loved you and known you since before you were born. He has lavished you with good things, fed you and protected you. He is the place of safety, and will prove Himself faithful.
Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power.
She has also written two non-fiction devotionals. More information on Joy, and her books can be found here
