Close to His Side

When I was a child, my Dad taught me how to catch and throw a football. He said, "Heather, after you catch the ball you've got to tuck it in close to your side so you can run with the ball safely protected." My Dad and I would practice this over and over again. Each time I'd do my best to practice what he taught me and to tuck the ball in close to my side.

This too is how our Heavenly Father receives us. He welcomes us into His arms of love and tucks us in close to His heart. This is good news for anyone who feels too messy to receive love.

It is a devastating reality to be rejected by someone. To have them fumble you and toss you away because quite frankly, they just want nothing to do with you. I think it's because having you close to their heart reveals something about their own heart that needs to change and they're just not ready to go there yet. It's quite possible that the discomfort they feel in having you close has nothing to do with who you are, but everything to do with who they have not yet become.

If you have been rejected and put out by someone be reminded that God holds you close. He tucks you in next to His heart. He protects you and shields you from any opposition that might try to snatch you from His hand. Do not let the voices of defeat, discouragement, or despair intercept you and put you in a place of misery. Stay rooted in the Father’s love.  Remember, He holds you close to His side.