Jehovah, Ancient of Days, the Beginning and the End, Yaweh, Father ❤️ How I wanted to know Him and love Him even as a child… He just seemed too big. Our cathedral was gigantic and ornate with humongous doors – God had to be enormous!
I wanted so much to see Him and for Him to “like me.” If I ever met Him, what would I say? All I knew were printed prayers, memorized and repeated over and over. Otherwise I tried to be very quiet at church, because my mom said God liked quiet.
After services, while she gathered linens and polished brass, I explored every room she worked in: multiple storage areas, offices, and winding tunnels that led to secret sanctuaries under the church. Once I was allowed to climb the long encased ladder to the top of the tallest tower – terrifying! Yet in none of these places did I find God Himself. Everything about Him remained mysterious.
What a wonder to finally learn at a church camp that I could know God personally through Jesus His son and I could talk to Him anytime I wanted. I was given a “Good News” Bible and began to read everything I could.
I discovered God didn’t just like me, He loved me! I was adopted, I was forgiven, I was His. I’ll never forget those first moments of awareness and the weeks that followed. What Joy, everything felt different.
Recently I watched our newest granddaughter as she followed her mother’s voice while lying in my arms. She nearly jumped out when her momma drew close. That’s what it’s like to love God; longing to be near Him; wanting more of His Spirit.
He brings me peace – like our grandchild snuggling in to her Daddy’s chest. She knows she’s loved, she knows she’s safe, she knows she will be taken care of… and so do I. The richness of Scripture says it best:
“God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns. Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice. The LORD of Hosts is with (me); the God of Jacob is (my) fortress.”Psalm 46:5-7
ForGlorySake! –Anna
