Saturday, May 9, 2009

The Mother Heart of God

The years of skinned knees are a distant memory. I wonder how many “boo-boo’s I’ve kissed through my 22 years of parenting. There’s something about the comfort of a mother that makes it all better.


I remember a time in my life many years ago when I had a boo-boo that needed to be kissed by God. It was unlike any other storm I had faced. With tears streaming down my face I pleaded with His mercy to give me something to hold onto. He spoke tenderly to me. “As a mother comforts her child, I will comfort you.”


As the days moved forward He began to show me in tangible ways how present He was. My daughter kept getting hurt. I would sweep her up in my arms, hold her tight, wipe away her tears until she was comforted. He spoke to my heart. “That’s me with you.” “I’m holding you tight, wiping away your tears.”

He knows when we sit down and when we rise up. Our thoughts are ever before Him. He knows the number of hair on our heads. He wove us together in our mother’s wombs. We are intimately and personally known. I get a small taste of it when I think of my own love for my children.


As mothers we kiss boo-boo’s, sometimes staying up into the wee hours of the night to nurse our children. We sweep them up into our arms to comfort them. As we hold them tight, sometimes we sing softly over them or whisper words of love until their pain is soothed.


I can hear my children’s cries above any other. In a crowd full of people my eye is searching to know where they are. I know their voice. They know mine.

I have carried them close to my heart while forming in my womb. They have felt my heartbeat. They are forever woven into the fiber of my being. They have left their mark on me, now part of me is carried in them. They are the apple of my eye, my greatest treasures on earth.

As I consider my heart towards my children, He invites me to see Him. As a mother comforts her child, so He comforts me. He dances over me with singing. He tenderly carries those who have young. I am the apple of His eye. He is woven into my very being and I am woven into Him.


The Mother heart of God tenderly carries me when life beats down. He sings to me His songs of love. He knows my voice. He hears me when I cry out. He runs to grab me up and kiss away my pain. He listens to me when I want to talk.


There’s a place upon His breast where I can nestle in. It’s a place where the storms around me subside. It is there I hear His heartbeat. I settle in close as the rhythm of His heart soothes me. It is then I realize. I am where I belong. He carries me close to His heart.


Papa God, today I am thankful for Your steadfast love that never ceases. I am thankful that You carry me close to your heart. I am thankful for a mother who didn’t give up on me, who waited for me to find love from You so I could see hers. Thank you for the gifts of my children. They are my treasures on earth. I love you.

©copyrighted: 2009 Julie L. Todd

16 comments:

Amy said... Reply to comment

What a beautiful word picture describing the love of our sweet Lord!

Happy Mother's Day, Julie!

Love you,
Amy

Lelia Chealey said... Reply to comment

Loved this Julie!
Love,
Lelia

Sita said... Reply to comment

Julie,
A beautiful tribute describing the heart of a mother, the closest 'love' I can see to the Father's love for us...
I pray that you know His comfort...
Love, Sita

Shanda said... Reply to comment

Happy Mother's Day, Julie!!!

I have learned so much by reading your heart. You've shown me through your experiences how to better understand the heart of God. I love the picture of God holding us just as we hold our own children. Just last night I sang to my oldest as she struggled to sleep and my baby has been up 4 times already tonight and it isn't even midnight. I will seek God as go to hold her yet again!
Thank you!

LisaShaw said... Reply to comment

This has once again touched my heart. Visiting with you is always a treat.

Happy Mother's Day precious sister.

The Dementia Nurse said... Reply to comment

Julie, this was a highlight of my Mothers Day! I'm with you - few things have taught me about God's heart quite like being a mom has.

Joanne@ Blessed... said... Reply to comment

I especially love thinking about how I hear my children's cries above any others. As a police dispatcher, it isn't protocal, but it just seems that police, fire and ambulance seem to fly to an emergency involving a child, just a little bit faster than other calls.

What a reminder that my God hears me, and my cry for Him.

Loved your blog..Joanne

Kimberly said... Reply to comment

Happy Mother's Day!

I love this tender picture of our Father. This morning I crawled in bed with my middle daughter, snuggling up with her under her covers before she had to get up to start the day. I loved the sweet way she smiled and snuggled up close. We were both so content to just stay there together. I need to remember that the Lord longs to have tender moments like that with me...that He delights in my closeness just as I delight in His.

Love the pictures you paint with words.
K :)

Crown of Beauty said... Reply to comment

Hi dear Julie,
Visit my blog post dated May 11, today. I have passed on a lovely blog award to you!

Love
Lidj

Aunt Angie said... Reply to comment

Julie---this was beautifully written...and as always---you blessed my heart and soul with the emotions of love--from the Father above!

AND girl...you are so far from stupid...the enemy is full of bulloney! (I spelled it that way on purpose---emphasizing the bull...)

I love you dearly!

Gretchen said... Reply to comment

Love this so, Julie. We often think of God the Father, but He has all aspects of perfect mothering, too. Gentleness, kindness, and never giving up on us. I hope you enjoyed your rest in Him on Mother's Day and will continue to do so always.

Carmen said... Reply to comment

Aww, congratulations on the award, Julie. You so deserve it. Hope you had a happy Mother's Day!

Beautiful Grace said... Reply to comment

Wonderful description of how God loves us. I can identify with His Mother-heart, and I love the way He kisses my boo-boo's. Thank you, Julie, for this comforting post.

Crown of Beauty said... Reply to comment

Thank you for accepting the award, Julie.

It was Jesus who whispered to my heart that the Renee Award should be passed on to you! So clear was the impression. He knows you inside out, He is always speaking truth to you, and yes, He is calling forth the potential, the hidden gifts, the endless possibilities that He deposited into you when He conceived you spiritually before you were even born physically! You are indeed an Oak of Righteousness, dear Julie! Go up and conquer the next level of your destiny!

Much love,
Lidj

Karen said... Reply to comment

Oh, this was simply precious! I was touched by all your words, but your title choice and the prayer you included to Papa God were very special...

You are so deserving of the award you were given...your inspired words always bless my heart and fill my soul with a new perspective on God's love....

Anonymous said... Reply to comment

so tender and beautiful. <3 thank you.