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There it was. That
special, warm, cozy feeling. The one that makes me feel secure and
calm, safe from all harm.
I reveled in it for a
moment before turning my thoughts to the storm raging outside the
window of the van. Then I had to ask myself: How is it that I can
feel so secure with the wind nearly whipping the car off the road? We
are on a remote southern Alberta highway, towing a tent trailer behind
a mini-van, three weeks and thousands of miles from home, with the
noise of the thunderous rain and hail loud enough to even drown out
the almost constant sound of arguing in the back seat! Just what is
it that makes me feel so secure?
I have felt this way
before. Many times. Not always in the car, but always when there is
a storm going on outside. In fact, it happens often enough to make me
wonder: Is it because of the storm that I feel this way?
I doubt it. I’m not
overly crazy about storms in general.
Is it because I’m with
my family? Totally self-contained, happy, accepted, complete?
Probably not. I am
often with them, but this warm, cozy feeling isn’t always there.
Maybe it is some crazy
combination of the two? Perhaps I feel safe and secure because there
is a storm raging outside and it can’t touch my family or me? Because
I’m warm and dry, because I’m surrounded by those I love, because
everything I need to be self-contained is with me? Because in the
midst of a raging storm, I am inside an island of security?
Funny, isn’t it, how
it takes something like a storm to make you appreciate what you have!
As I basked in the
snuggly feeling that day, I couldn’t help but think how nice it would
be to feel this way all the time. And then it hit me:
I CAN!
When I choose to ride
in the arms of Jesus, when I let Him carry me through thick and thin,
it doesn’t matter what storm life has dumped my way. I can feel the
same warm, safe, secure feeling I felt in the midst of that southern
Alberta storm! In Jesus’ arms, I am 100% surrounded by love, I am in
need of nothing, I am warm and dry, and I know the storm can’t touch
me. I am inside an island of security! And best of all, as long as I
rest in Jesus, nothing can steal my peace. After all, didn’t Jesus
say: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to
you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not
be afraid.” (John 14:27)?
It kind of makes me
wonder why I don’t choose to rest in Jesus all of the time!
God bless you!
Lyn
Lyn
Chaffart, Author, Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets website,
www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/ , Answers2Prayer
Ministries,
www.Answers2Prayer.org .
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Eighteen-months ago I wiggled my way out of Mommy’s tummy. What a relief to finally stretch my limbs
and breathe fresh air after lying all twisted-up like a pretzel for such a
long time. My features resemble that
of a healthy newborn infant, however, the truth is, I am really a reclaimed
“Wise Soul.” My new Daddy and Mommy
call me SHANTEL MARIE.
A “Soul” like me can understand everything grown-ups say
or do. Yet, being a baby, I still must
re-learn how to eat, crawl, walk, speak, etc., all over again, just as if I
have never done it before. Starting
over is lots of fun and very amusing too, especially with my Grandpa. He loves me up, we plays games, and often
he hams-it-up as if he were a kid himself.
Not long ago I started saying one-word sentences. One problem I’m
having though is pronouncing my “Rrrrr’s.” It is hard trying to say Grandpa when I cannot
voice an “R!” What comes out is “Gampa.” I get so
frustrated! Nevertheless, Gampa beams with pride every time I utter his name
because I can only say a few words, and Gampa is
one of them. I have to chuckle
though, if he only knew I could understand everything he says, Gampa would be flabbergasted. Still, he does tell everyone how smart I
am, so maybe I am just imagining he would be shocked!
My Gampa looks after me a few
times a week. My Daddy takes me to stay with Gampa early in the morning. I am drinking my first cup of milk with him
before the twinkling night-stars even turn into sunshine. Sometimes I wonder if the poor man ever sleeps,
since he is always stirring every time I go to his house. I love my Gampa!
Secretly, he’s
my favorite playmate. He feeds me yummy
food, and he sings to me all the time, “Grandpa Loves Shantelle’,
you’re my Nananelle’, my Little Montonelle’, my Little Baby Darlin…”
At midmorning, Gampa feeds me
snacks. He wants to be sure that my
tummy is full before I take my nap.
After I eat, he changes my diaper.
I have learned his routine and what is really going on is Gampa is ready for his nap! He
thinks I should be to. Actually, I
am, though usually I put up a bit of a fuss when Gampa
tries singing me to sleep. It is always
the same lullaby, “Rock-a-Bye, Baby, in the Treetop, when the Wind Blows
the Cradle will Rock…” All the
while, my miniature torso rests in his cradled arms. The best part is he cuddles me, and his cheek
rests against mine while he sings.
Several times during his routine, he will stop singing for a short
moment, which is when I can feel his light touch of several kisses on an
ear. To pacify myself I grasp his thumb,
the same one I always hold, and I stroke his large knuckle with one of my
fingernails. Shortly, I let go, it
is a signal to Gampa that I am ready to nap. My breathing slows, my tiny frame is
motionless, yet I am not asleep, though Gampa assumes
I am. Tenderly, he carries me to my
bedroom, still softly singing, “Rock-a-Bye, Baby…”
Gently, Gampa settles me on my
bed, making sure my head is resting perfectly on my baby pillow. He slowly rises from the bed and closes the
bedroom door to minimize any disquieting noises. He thinks I am in slumber-land! However, I am not quite in dreamland yet.
Contented, I am waiting for Gampa to return and take his nap beside me. I know he is tired, after all, I do run
around the house nonstop, and he follows me everywhere I go.
Before coming to rest, Gampa
turns on a CD chockfull of restful tunes.
Soon, I feel the bed squeak as he lies down. That is when I roll over and nestle my pintsized
frame next to him. I hold close his thumb
again and pull it against my body. I
begin to feel his warm breath as it falls against my head of hair. It soothes me, as if I were outside in a
slight breeze. I cuddle even closer
until my back curls against Gampa shirt.
My eyes are closed. Nonetheless, I am still awake and waiting
for Gampa to fall asleep. After a short while, I feel his body
relax, sometimes he even snores, and then I know for sure he is sleeping
like a baby. Ah, my job done, I have
put my Gampa down for his nap. Now I can finally go off to dreamland
myself.
Duane Shaw
dbshaw1947@sbcglobal.net
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