Strength in the Sway

I recently had the amazing opportunity to attend the birth of my first grand daughter.  I'm smiling even as I recall the whole evening.  It was beautiful from start to finish.   Even after having four children of my own, I am still amazed at the life that God creates and the incredible way that each baby enters the world.

There are a couple moments from the evening that are embedded deep in my heart.  The best was the moment my granddaughter joined the world and they laid her on my daughter's chest.  Such a precious and beautiful memory.

The other moments came earlier in the night as I watched my daughter and my son-in-law, Derrick, interact. As I watched,  I was overwhelmed with all the warm fuzzies.  The strength of Elizabeth's contractions was increasing and the two of them were standing hand in hand swaying in unison as if they were in a slow dance.  When the labor increased, Elizabeth would wrap her arms around his neck and lean into him for strength.  When the intensity increased to what seemed like it was more than she could bare,  Derrick held her tight and used his strength to keep her from collapsing.  He was her trusted rock.  When that baby girl was finally here and Liz could rest, he was by her side whispering precious words of love and admiration.  He is her love.

As I watched, I couldn't help but let my heart and mind wander to our Savior.  Our relationship with Him has so many of the same traits.  It was a beautiful picture that reminds us who He is and how He walks with us. 

As we walk day to day with our heart inclined to His, we move in unison according to His good pleasure.  We keep in step with the spirit just like Liz and Derrick as they swayed hand in hand.  He is an ever present guide.

When the tough days come, we lean even more into His presence for strength and guidance.  Isaiah 40:31 tells us, "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."  As we rely on Him, He renews our strength. 

When the worst and hardest of times come and we think we aren't going to make it, His grip is sure and His strength is immeasurable.  He is the One that can keep us from collapsing.  He is our Rock.  Then in the aftermath of the unbearable, He is there, whispering truth and hope through His Word. 

I'm so grateful for the strong and steady hand of the Lord in my life.  His love is unwavering.  His strength endures through every trial.  He is our strength in the sway, in the tough, and in the storm.  These truths bring great peace.  Are you grateful?  I sure am.  


The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

Comments

  1. ConnieMay 25, 2022 at 4:35 AM

    I was present at my grandchildren’s births, and the “leaning in for strength” is a beautiful picture of how we draw strength from the Lord when we are in need. And He never fails us.

    ReplyDelete

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