On the Palm of His Hands
Our four-year old son, Timmy, has been
having trouble going to Nursery School in the last couple of weeks.
It wasn't that he didn't like the program or that he didn't have
other children he knew there, it was that he worried I would forget to
pick him up. He wasn't sure how I'd remember to pick him up so he
couldn't trust that I would. So, we worked on a plan to ensure that
Timmy knew I had reminders. First, I asked him to remember every
other pre-school time – had Mommy or someone he knew picked him up?
Yes. Second, I set my alarm on my cell phone for 15 minutes before
I needed to be there. I showed him how it worked and assured him
that I would come when it rang. Third, I wrote his name on the palm
of my hand and showed it to him.
Well, on Monday morning we set out to Nursery School and his anxiety was very high. He was crying alot and saying “I won't go to pre-school” and “Mommy won't pick me up”. So, I addressed these words, we prayed together, and I practically dragged him into the building. As we reached the top of the stairs where he had to say goodbye, he was still upset. He gave me the three kisses we do for good bye (one cheek, the other cheek, and on the lips) and then just as he was about to say, “But will you remember....” I cut him off and showed him my hand. “TIM” was written on it. “Timmy,” I said, “I have your name written on my hand. I won't forget you.” And off he went. Turns out, he had a great day. Thanks be to God!
Well, on Monday morning we set out to Nursery School and his anxiety was very high. He was crying alot and saying “I won't go to pre-school” and “Mommy won't pick me up”. So, I addressed these words, we prayed together, and I practically dragged him into the building. As we reached the top of the stairs where he had to say goodbye, he was still upset. He gave me the three kisses we do for good bye (one cheek, the other cheek, and on the lips) and then just as he was about to say, “But will you remember....” I cut him off and showed him my hand. “TIM” was written on it. “Timmy,” I said, “I have your name written on my hand. I won't forget you.” And off he went. Turns out, he had a great day. Thanks be to God!
Israel wondered if God has forgotten
them. They had experienced exile. Their circumstances were
difficult. Their trust probably waned. Isaiah spoke these words to
Israel as a prophet of God:
13 Shout for
joy, you heavens;
rejoice, you earth;
burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
rejoice, you earth;
burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.
Isaiah 49:13-16 NIVand have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.
It was a powerful moment for me when I
showed Timmy my hand. The thought came to my mind.
"God has our names written on the palm of His
hands." Wherever you are at today, know that "the
LORD comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted
ones." He has not and will not forget or forsake you. Be secure
knowing that even if your mother forgot you (very unlikely but still
feared by Timmy!), God will not.
Comments
Post a Comment