Love in a Snapshot!

       I love this picture of proud Grandpa with his first grandson! Kurt was about 1 and talking a blue streak.  Dad had a hard time hearing him but would try to listen & understand anyway! He would nod and smile, and Kurt would keep talking. I'm sure there were times when Dad wished he could speed up the conversation, but he quickly learned not to finish Kurt's sentences because that always led to him starting the story over from the beginning.  It was a sweet interaction and I loved watching and listening to them.
       The other thing I love about this picture is how Dad stooped down to hold on to him, and how Kurt is holding Dad's arm. There's such great security in being held by someone so much bigger and stronger that you are.
       If you've been reading my blog for long, you know where I'm going already! While God doesn't have a hard time hearing us, I'm amazed that He keeps listening. We tell Him "childish stories" that show both our lack of understanding and our doubting faith, and yet He lovingly listens to every word. He knows our thoughts and limited perspective, and yet He never turns away from our immature ramblings. He gently points us back to His Word and enjoys our progress as we grow in Him. Although He knows the beginning and the end of our story, He lets us work through our days so that we develop our faith, gain wisdom, and practice those things He gently teaches us through His Word and His Spirit.  He loves us too much to ever ignore us, belittle us or make us feel in any way insignificant.  We are the lights of His life!
       And talk about security...God never lets us fall when we trust in Him & nothing can pluck us out of His hand. We have a Big, Strong, Powerful Father who wraps His loving arms of protection around us to give us comfort, peace, & a sense of security that can't be taken away by any circumstance, situation, or person!!  It's His character to love and protect, to nurture and guard, to hold and keep.
       Dad's favorite chapter was the one his parents prayed over him daily while he served in the military, Psalm 91.  The first part of it says, "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection."  You can be confident that God delights in hearing you and you can always rest in the security of His presence!  With love like that, what else do you need?