The Safety of a Snuggle
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8, (ESV)
Meet baby Carrots, the newest furry addition to the family. We’ve had him for two weeks now and needless to say, the pace of life has certainly picked up.
He loves to snuggle and is quick to crawl up a pant leg to get what he wants—a cuddle. Gabby, our 18-pound, old boy, is very gentle with him. I think he’s afraid he’ll break him if he plays too rough. But he loves his bedtime snuggle time as well.
There is something to be said about snuggles! That sense of security, warmth, and love can’t be matched. It is my belief that God enjoys holding His children close to His heart. He comforts each hurting soul. He dries each tear. He lovingly embraces and strokes us telling us: “Just rest! This will pass!”
All we must do is draw close enough to climb up on His lap, be vulnerable, and tell Him what’s going on. I can see His attentive face and that gentle smile. I long for His loving touch.
Somehow, we just don’t want to bother Him. We’ve gotten this mindset that He is too busy with the global problems that He’d laugh at our trivial trials. That they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us (Acts 17:27, ESV).
God is not like us! We tend to take things personally. Pondering over the comments of others leaves us insecure. Watching others succeed makes us greedy. Listening to the media creates confusion. Standing up for what we believe ends up with loneliness. We wobble, but He never falls down.
At the end of the day, we all need to be held and snuggled. The truth is this: He longs to hold us more than we desire to be embraced by Him. We put up walls that He never intended. Often, we seek consolation from others who really can’t help. He is our Refuge.
Just like Carrots crawls up our pant legs to get closer, we need to make every effort to be closer to Him so that we can hear His consistent heartbeat. He’s waiting for us with open arms!
Gracious Father, thank You for Your snuggles and for always being there for us. Help us to desire to always be there with You. AMEN.