Held, not Abandoned

Merciful heavens, Buttercup, come on up here and ease yourself on up onto this here front porch. And watch out for that ol’ rickety porch swing. It has been a‑creakin’, ‘a‑crackin’, and a‑carryin’ on like a grandpa ‘a‑tryin’ to tell a story nobody asked for, and I do not need it ‘’a-pitchin’ you out into them there azalea bushes. Now, come on here pull up that there chair that leans over just enough to keep you ‘a‑prayin’, and let’s sit for a lil’ ol’ spell.

I was just ‘a‑watchin’ a squirrel ‘a‑tryin’ to bury a pecan in a flowerpot that already had three begonias and a confused frog in it. That there poor thing was a‑workin’ harder than a baby goat ‘a‑tryin’ to climb a greased stump, and I thought, “Ain’t that just like us, a‑talkin’ about God’s love but not always a‑believin’ it deep down where it counts.”

First John 3:1 says, “The Father has lavished love on us.” Lavished. That there is a big ol’ word that’s like ‘a-pourin’ gravy on biscuits until the plate goes to cryin’ for loads o’ mercy.

But how you see God is what is ‘a‑makin’ all the difference.

My husband grew up in a home more cracked than a goose egg under a tractor tire. After his momma done left when he was 18 months old, his paternal grandmother helped to raise him until his dad remarried when he was 5. Then, his new stepmother took him in to lovingly raise him. Sadly, however, he did not see his real mother many times before he graduated high school, so his relationship with her was not strong at all. Consequently, when your earthly mother disappears quicker than a squirrel a‑snatchin’ a pecan, you start ‘a‑expectin’ that God might just do the same.

Maybe one or both of your parents was absent or meaner than a rooster ‘a‑protectin’ his hens. Maybe they done made promises that evaporated faster than dew on a July mornin’. And now you’re done ‘a-lookin’ at God through that same foggy, uncertain window.

But Buttercup, you gotta be ‘a-hearin’ me here. God ain’t your earthly father or mother.

If you done grew up in fear, you might be ‘a-thinkin’ that God is ‘a‑hoverin’ with a lightning bolt. If you done grew up feelin’ real ignored, you might be ‘a-thinkin’ God is real busy with more important folks. If you done grew up ‘a‑feelin’ abandoned, you might be ‘a‑thinkin’ God is ‘a‑packin’ His suitcase to be leavin’ you right now.

But Romans 8:38‑39 says, “Nothing can separate you from His love. Not death. Not life. Not angels. Not demons. Not your past. Not your future.” Not even that one mistake you keep draggin’ around like a stubborn ol’ mule.

Your earthly mother or father may have failed you. But your Heavenly Father never will. You gotta stop seein’ Him through the lens of your wounds. You gotta start seein’ Him through the lens of His Word. He loves you. He is not leavin’. You are secure.

Father, help me stop a‑seein’ You through the cracks of my past. Help me be a‑restin’ in Your love, a‑trustin’ Your heart, and a‑walkin’ like a true child of God. Thank You for never leavin’ me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Well, mercy me, Butterbean, that ought’a stick to the deepest depths of your soul a whole lot longer than a spiky burr on a hound dog. Now go on out there and be a‑livin’ like somebody who done is ‘a-knowin’ their Heavenly Father ain’t ‘a‑goin’ nowhere.

With joy,

Gwen