Jesus always welcomes us back with open arms.
Yesterday, when I mistimed going to run a few errands, I ended up behind a school bus. There are few things that I dislike more than riding for a mile, or less, then stopping, for what seems like forever. I know I’m not alone here. But, alas, that was my lot yesterday.
As I was sending a mental telepathy message to the driver to, “Please turn! Please turn,” he stopped again. Sigh. I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, as I waited.
Then I watched a little girl get off the bus. She was tiny and couldn’t have been older than kindergarten or first grade. She had a light blue, “Frozen,” backpack on her back that was as almost as big as she was. I found myself smiling at how cute she was and remembered my own daughter carrying a pink, Barbie backpack when she was that age. I remember hers being too big for her too. Where had the time gone?
As the bus waited, I watched the little girl break out into a run right into the arms of her mother. It was so ordinary, but so sweet. She probably saw her mom just that morning, but missed her so much that just walking wasn’t fast enough.
Again, I remembered my own children being that excited to see me at the end of a long day. I also remember that I took as much comfort from them being safely back in my arms as they did.
I think Jesus probably feels the same way when we’ve wandered away, whether it’s a long work day without contact or many years. I think he stands like that mama in the driveway, with his arms outstretched, beckoning us back. It doesn’t really matter where we have been. He just wants us back, safely in his arms, and if we’re wise, we will run, just like that little girl did, because we really can’t get back in his arms fast enough.
I carried that thought around for the rest of the day and I thanked God for the sweet reminder. Maybe you needed one too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂