Nail-Scarred Hands
Liz Curtis Higgs said, “Wherever you are spiritually whatever you have been through emotionally, you are already wrapped in the Lord’s embrace. Held close by nail-scarred hands.”
While growing up my family did not travel too much. I was fortunate to have family that lived close by. I grew up with all of my extended family around me. But I always had a desire to travel, to “see the world”. When I met manly man, he never lived anywhere more than 2 years because he was from a military family. So with him I saw adventure, excitement; I knew if I married this man I would see the world.
What was not communicated was I wanted to “travel” not move away from everyone. It was God’s plan that I move to the complete opposite side of the US from all my family. When I moved, my relationship with Christ was not that good, he was my SOS God at the time. I had messed things up in my life, manly man and I began our marriage on shaky ground, and now I was moving away from all I knew (everything that brought me comfort). I was also a new mother of a 4 month old baby.
It was at that time, when the Lord took everything away from me, that I began to feel wrapped in the Lord’s embrace. It is true God is a jealous God, if there are people or things you go to first before going to him. Some how God will remove that obstacle so that you will go to Him first. I learned this the hard way. When I got to the point where everything was taken away and everyone, I realized God was all I really needed. He comforted me with a warm winter blanket, soothed my crying, and showed me the right way to go. He became my everything.
I thank God those nail-scarred hands never let me go. As you think about your plans for this up coming New Year, what is standing in the way of God being “your everything?”
Heavenly Father, thank you for seeing me through the difficult times and allowing me to know you and learn more about you. Lord you are my everything, and may that be my goal for next year….whoever comes across my path, may they see only you. Amen.
Amen to that, Laurel. I have to admit that the Lord was my ‘SOS God’ as well – than He moved me across the pond – away from everything. Sometimes I wish I would be closer to my family, but then again, would I be in a relationship with Him now? I don’t know….
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and heart with us.
Blessings to you and yours.
This was very beautiful, thank you.
Thank you for sharing. I have been thinking about a similar question recently.
Laurel this post has encouraged me in so many ways.
Thank you for sharing your heart.
Oh Laurel,
I didn’t know that you picked up and moved. But, I do know how it is to have an SOS God. Girl, I am right there with you.
This post shouts of your love for our Savior. I loved reading every word. And Laurel, this prayer is so beautiful. I could breathe every word to Him. Thank you.