JUST BE HELD

Where your passion meets your compassion there is your gift.

This past week I believe one of my passions met not only my compassion but God’s compassion too. I sensed His presence.

 

 

I marvel at God’s orchestrating people and circumstances in our lives. As I’m sure you know by now one of my passions is to hold babies and love on them. There’s just something so sweet and precious about snuggling with this loving, innocent creation that God formed.

All of life, especially human life, is such a sacred and magnificent miracle from God.

It was you who formed my internal organs, fashioning me within my mother’s womb.  I praise you, because you are fearful and wondrous! Your work is wonderful, and I am fully aware of it.  –Psalm 139:13-14 (NLT)

 

 

 

About six months ago I saw a Facebook post from a friend of mine that she was going for her first day to the NICU at a local hospital to hold and love the babies.  I immediately contacted her to get more details and information as that is something I have always wanted to do.  I did not realize that one of our local hospitals had that opportunity available to volunteers.  It took about four months for this “ministry” opportunity to come to fruition for me.

I just completed my seventh time so far and this past week, for some reason, it was just an extra special time for me–kind of a holy encounter.

This week, as soon as I put my things away and scrubbed up, I was able to hold a precious one. There are some weeks that it can be an hour or more before there is a baby to love on.

It is always interesting to see what the baby’s name is and often I’m not sure how to pronounce them! What has been powerful for me is when the name of the baby I’m holding brings to mind someone I know with the same name. I kinda take that as a sign to also pray for that person and lift them and their needs to the Lord.

 

 

 

This little guy looked red faced from crying, seemed rather agitated and the nurse told me he had just spit up. I heard him crying when I first came in and while scrubbing up.

As soon as I scooped this fellow up he became calmer and did not cry during the two hours that I held him and loved on him. He did squirm a tad and spit up a little more but then seemed content.

When I first held him, it seemed like I really embraced him with both arms so that he was safe as I stood swaying with him for awhile before finally rocking him in the rocking chair.

The words “Just Be Held” popped into my head and made me think of the song by Casting Crowns with the same name.   I find it another beautiful, meaningful song sure to bless you.

 

It made me think of how often….

We need to just be held by the Lord…..

— knowing that we are safe in His arms

–knowing that everything will really be okay

–to soothe our restless hearts

–to calm our fears

His arms are always ready to embrace us!!

 

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.  –Luke 15:20 (NLT)

With a strong hand and an outstretched arm, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. –Psalm 136:12  (NASB)

 

My arms do get tired of holding a baby in the same position for a long period of time, so I found myself changing arms and positions with this little guy.

There are advantages to each way. My usual way is holding the baby with the head in my left arm which allows me to see their precious face and on the slight chance they aren’t sleeping a chance to see their eyes peeking all around. It is also the preferred way if they need their pacifier to help soothe them.

Probably my favorite way to hold a baby is snuggling against my chest so you can even feel their heartbeat and gentle breathing even more.  I was able to do that with this baby for a little bit and I found myself breathing life over this little one.

 

 

 

It reminded me of God breathing life into each one of us…..His spirit covering us with His love and protection.

The spirit of God fashioned me; and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.  –Job 33:4 (ISV)

 

 

 

 

After I was done with the fellow, soon after, they gave me a very little girl to hold who they were letting out of her isolette for some snuggle time. She was so light, I’m guessing maybe three pounds at the most but it was just amazing to see what a miracle of life she was.

 

 

I finally noticed that she was a twin as her brother was in another isolette on the other side. It looked like he was even smaller than her. This girl had the longest fingers and a great sucking reflex with her pacifier.  She was a little fussier but it was a privilege to hold such a little one.

 

It reminded me how much God loves each of us and how He made each of us special in His eyes.

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.  –1 John 3:1 (NLT)

 

Photo courtesy of Bible Verse Photo under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 20.0)

 

Be reminded this week, that……

 

….Your life is a MIRACLE from God

…God’s arms are always outstretched ready to HOLD and EMBRACE you through every storm of life

…God breathes His SPIRIT into you

….God LOVES you so very much

…You are SPECIAL in God’s eyes

..God’s LOVE and PROTECTION are with you always!

 

 

The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; He cries out, ‘Destroy them!’  –Deuteronomy 33:27  (NLT)

 

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.  –Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)