There is nothing so compelling to me than a sleeping baby. When I was a young parent, I diligently read many books about raising a child and especially when our first child was born. The book instructed us to wait when hearing the baby cry to enter the room only when they stopped crying. That would supposedly encourage the baby to not cry for attention. So I’d wait quietly at the closed door, waiting for the cries to slow down and stop and I’d go in and pick him up. I’d love to re-live that time–just for a few moments, I’d go into the nursery and swoop that baby up into my arms and nuzzle that sweet neck. As parents, we were and are–if you are still the parent of a baby–a comfort to them. Just being with them, in their presence, comforts them.

That’s how our Father in heaven can be with us. He doesn’t wait until we stop crying to come to us. No, he comes instantly. Right away. I can think of many times when I cried out to God and I immediately felt his presence and comfort. It tells us in Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry for help.

Who are righteous? Those who trust in Jesus for their salvation and for eternal life–those who are born again. It is a moment where we approach God and recognize with God, that we have sinned–done wrong–and we ask for forgiveness. Then we allow Jesus to come into our lives and  “run” it. Then he is there, within us through the Holy Spirit.  Check out the links and read what the Bible says. Then we can experience in an instance, the presence of our Heavenly Father. No waiting until we stop crying like the young parent I was who wanted to do the right thing for my baby, but instantly. And in that presence, we are comforted. Secure.

I keep a photo of my first baby on my dresser when he was only a few months old. It reminds me of who he once was. That he was in my care and I was his world. Now he’s all grown up of course. He doesn’t need me. I just like the reminder when I glance at the photo that I was entrusted with that little life for a time. We’re like that when we belong to our Savior–Jesus. We’re under his care and love and he is with us. Always. For a lifetime.

“Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence in my life. You are instantly there when I cry out to you. Thank you. Amen.”

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I’ll include two verses to the hymn, “Be Still My Soul”

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to your God to order and provide;

In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend

Thru’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 

Be still, my soul! the hour is hast’ning on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still my soul! when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last. (Kathrina von Schlegel, 1752).