Open Arms

Open Arms

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To God be all the glory.
Adapted from a radio illustration.

When a little child falls down and scrapes both knees,
what is usually the first reaction?
What was yours ?
Yes, probably tears.
Whether we cried from physical pain, distress, concern
for soiled garments, all three, or others, the tears were
real, and comfort was needed.

The cure?—Running to an adult for consolation.
But what about thei reaction?
It makes a world of difference.
One response is that of folded arms.

The little one cowers, looking up into angry eyes that
show disapproval and a mouth spewing harshness:
”Don’t come crying to me. It’s not my fault you fell.
Didn’t I tell you not to run on the sidewalk? And you
expect comfort ? Forget it.”
As he walks away, the child is left to cry – alone.
Hopefully, that exaggerated example is uncommon.

The child was likely wishing to be whisked up off the
hard concrete into soothing arms, hoping to be held
and rocked till sobs reduced to whimpers, as the “big
person” brushed away the child's tears (and his own).

Reassuring words of comfort were needed:
”It’s okay. I'm not mad. You didn’t mean to fall, I know.
Do your knees hurt? We’ll put bandages on them
when we get home; it will soon be all better. And we
can get those stains out of your clothes too, don’t you
worry. I do wish you would have listened, though. I
truly wasn’t trying to steal your fun each time I warned
you about that sidewalk. I just didn’t want you to fall
and suffer like this. Come on, I'll take you home.”

As grown ups (little kids in grown-up bodies), what is
our reaction now if we fall, morally ? Yes, we probably
still cry. Whether the falls result in physical pain, fear,
shame, or just a bruised ego, we still long for comfort.
We want to run to our heavenly Father; but we’re often
afraid that He will react sternly and angrily, crossing his
arms in disgust then scolding us and walking away.
Thankfully, God is not like that.

He is so much more tender and gracious than even the
most caring of humans. Our Abba Father’s love for us
is deeper than that of any mortal, and His forgiveness
is incomparable. His promise is true:
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Yes, indeed, He longs for the garments of His children
to be “without spot or wrinkle.” But during the charactercleansing
process on life's journey, He is so patient.

God will never shun us, even if our falling is from failing
to listen. Christ our Savior has “open arms” ever willing
to forgive us and accept us.
Having walked this sinful planet, Jesus knows our
every struggle, our pains, our weaknesses; and He
counts every tear, lovingly brushing each one away
while His own tears flow. He gives us warnings and
wise guidelines so we won’t stumble, fall, and suffer
needless pain and sorrow.

But when we do, He’s there to whisk us up and provide
the comfort He knows we need. Let’s let Him.
He also knows how to remove all our guilty stains.
Let’s let Him.
Our heavenly Father longs to take us Home where
things will soon be “all better.” Let’s let Him.
His arms are waiting. Which direction are you running?

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