Hiding, from the one who seeks
“Noah?” I called as I realized I hadn’t seen his little body in my peripheral view in the past few minutes.
No answer.
“Noah!” Voice a little stronger, tone a little higher. Now wondering where he could be.
“NOAH!” I start searching. There is no answer. No little pounding of feet as he runs from whatever mess he’s been making.
My heart starts to flutter, then pound.
“Boys! Help me find Noah” I’m now shouting orders like a captain on some doomed ship.
I tear through the house. We (my two older sons) and I were RIGHT here. He couldn’t have gotten out, could he? I search the bedrooms.
Nothing. I continue to, well, now basically scream “NOAH! WHERE ARE YOU!”
I start to look in spots where he could be stuck. I fear entrapment, strangulation. I pray. I send my middle son outside to search the neighborhood. I’m sure he hasn’t left the house. But, with kids anything is possible.
I wonder how fast is too fast to call the police. How long is too long? I wish my husband wasn’t in Las Vegas, on business. I run outside screaming like a madwoman. My heart stops and I look in the truck. I’m afraid he’s stuck inside in the heat. Nothing.
I run back inside. I keep looking, while my mind flashes with news stories about kids snatched from their homes. I try to remember whether he actually DID change into dry clothes after we came in from running through the hose.
Then my oldest yells “I HAVE HIM! HE’S HIDING in my closet”
I have been a mom for nearly 18 years, my track record has been pretty good- I’ve never lost a kid. Until today. Kind of. Somewhere, all of my emotions short circuit. (Not that ,that is actually a novelty;) I am angry and scared and now, relieved. They come downstairs. My tears flow. I catch a sob escaping. I try not to cry in front of my kids.
My big, rough, hunting, fishing, teen/ man boy puts his arm around me. “It’s ok Mom. We got him.”
I pray and thank God in breath prayers, and tear prayers. I hug that wriggly little boy.
“WHY WERE YOU HIDING FROM ME?” I shout I mean, ask.
“I knew I’d be in trouble. I was on Michaels game upstairs.”
Hiding. From the one who seeks. Yes, the one who disciplines. And also, the one who forgives. How many times have I forgiven him? How many times have I disciplined him with love? I’ve been his Mom all of his life, but still when he knew he was in trouble, he still hid.
And so do we. From the One who seeks us. The One who forgives us, regardless how bad we think we are. The One who chases us down and tackles us with His love. A tackle that lands Him squarely on the cross. Where He lovingly pays the price for our sin.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Today I hope when you hear His voice- you won’t hide. You’ll run to Him. The One who forgives. I encourage you to click the link and read all of Hebrews 12… let Him speak to your heart and call your name.
Bless you sweet one.
Tracey,
This story brought tears to my eyes. Every Mom knows what this feels like. I have never thought about how our Savior might feel the same way. Awesome. Humbling!
We really haven’t come that far from the Garden, have we? We’re hiding just like Adam and Eve. Praise God He paid the price for our sin and we can come out and be forgiven…
bless you
Excellent post; I needed the reminder today.
I almost decided I was too tired tonight to read any posts. God brought me here for another reminder. Why do I run from a Father who loves me everytime I feel I’ve disappointed Him again…He always welcomes me with open arms, he always loves and always forgives…and yet…I hide. Thank you dear one of God for this reminder. God Bless.
Thank you for the post… the reminder! Tracy I’ve been here, and completely understand what you went through today. Although – my son actually left the house 🙁 … he hasn’t done that in quite some time Thank God – but it was very scary. He was my little escape artist. He still hides here in the house from time/time – but knows now that he cannot leave the house.
I love the way you’ve brought the whole experience back to how we hide from God… like we “really” can hide. Thank you for your post and encouragment to always return to the one who forgives!
God Bless
You are right Tracey that we sometimes try to hide because we know we have stumbled once again…with the same sin. But He will still forgive us.
I am glad you found your son unharmed in this ordeal 🙂
Be blessed today and always.
What a beautiful analogy Tracey. I know that when I’ve blown it I tend to be just like your little boy. Especially when it seems I blow it in the same old way over and over again. It isn’t until I stop hiding and seek Him that all is well again.
I loved this.