Her hair flying behind her and eyes dancing with delight, she ran toward my open arms and snuggled in my embrace. Such uninhibited love and adoration makes my heart sing.
We have a hallway that stretches down between our individual condo units. Recently, I thought of our Thanksgiving gathering with our family. I went out into the hallway from the Commons area where we were gathered, and I got down on my knees and opened my arms wide. My 2-year-old great-grand-daughter, who was running up and down the hallways with two of my grand-daughters, ran towards me, almost bowling me over with her exuberance. She giggled and wanted it “Again!”
Now many weeks later, as I walk that hallway, I think of how my heart feels so ready to burst with love for my grandkids and I would do anything to keep them loved, safe, and happy. And isn’t Jesus’ love full like that for us, only infinitely and powerfully greater?
My heart longed to visibly see Jesus with His arms spread wide at the end of that hallway. I imagined how glorious it would be to run with childish abandon to Him. Wildly and freely as His beloved. Sure and true of His love. Not one inkling afraid to run into His embrace.
And He whispered:
My precious child,
I am here, always,
Arms spread open wide,
Waiting for you to run into,
Waiting for you to want My embrace,
Waiting for you to feel My safety.
Your heart bursts with love for your grandkids;
My heart infinitely more spouts forth love for you.
I am here, My child,
Run to Me.
I am safe,
I am the Best Friend
You can ever have.
I will never let you down,
I will never, ever abandon you.
Nestle in My embrace,
Rest in My arms, My child,
Confide in Me,
Pour out all the cries of your heart
In times of fear
In times of weariness
In times of despair.
It delights My heart to listen
And to show you My unfailing love for you.
And even in times of gratitude
For My unconditional grace,
Run to Me
With joy in Your soul.
Jesus loves us so much He died to save us. We are His beloved, so treasured and precious in His sight. Let’s run like a child to those open arms, nestle into His love, and confide in Him freely and fully. In the good times and the bad.
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
Jeremiah 31:3“For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty Savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With His love, He will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17
“Drops In the Ocean” by Hawk Nelson
Jesus’ arms of love
ache with longing
to hold you!
Linking up with:
Holley – Coffee For Your Heart
Jennifer – Tell His Story
Kelly – Cheerleaders of Faith
Bonnie – Faith Barista’s Beloved Brews
Freed to Fly 
I love the image of running into God’s open arms. It’s even more amazing to me to picture Him running faster to me! That’s why I love this YouTube video,When God Ran: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2WhRD9TZ-U
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Oh, Sita, thank you so much for sharing this video. It brings tears to my eyes. How powerful and forgiving is His love towards us! God bless you with grace and peace! 💞
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Trudy, your words just pierced my heart. Oh, how he loves us. When I look at my children I know what my heart feels, and it’s overwhelming at times to think of His love for us. Such truth! Running with you beloved friend… without fear. Thank you for sharing the beautiful song… powerful!
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Hi Michelle! I’m so glad your heart is encouraged by the abundant loves Jesus has for us. It’s so hard to fathom how deeply He loves us. Yes, let’s run together “without fear.” I’m blessed to have you on this journey with me. May Jesus wrap you in His arms and take away all the shame and pain! 💗
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Trudy, as I read your beautiful post I too pondered over our willingness (or otherwise) to run into the safety of our Lord’s embrace. Perhaps it’s similar to the reasons our children/grandchildren run freely toward us ~ they love and trust us completely and fully believe they are accepted and beloved in return. Once we have such a revelation of God’s love for us it means we can turn to Him without hesitation and in expectant faith.
“Pour out all the cries of your heart
In times of fear
In times of weariness
In times of despair”
These lines encourage us to come close, to be real, to share all, to be vulnerable, to pour out our heart’s pain, to hide nothing back. Intimacy develops from deep sharing. May we learn how to draw close to the One who gives so lavishly to us and loves us unconditionally! Bless you for stirring me to think more about how much I trust God with everything. 🙂 Xx
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Thank you for these beautiful reflections, Joy. Oh, to have that childlike trust always, every day, every minute! As you say – “to pour out our heart’s pain, to hide nothing back.” Even those deeply buried, dark memories of pain. As we open our hearts more to Him, may we find ever deeper healing! 💞
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What a beautiful vision “to run with childish abandon to Him,” Trudy! Thank you for that thought. I love your sweet words about your grandkids. I can’t wait to have them. It may be a little while for me, but I hear great things about them ;).
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Yes, grandkids are very special. 🙂 It amazes me, just like with our children, how unique each one is. We can learn so much from a child. May we run with childlike abandon to Jesus! God bless you, Candace!💗
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My son is two, and there really is nothing like having him run to me for a hug when I kneel down and open my arms for him 🙂
I enjoyed the song you shared too. I had never heard it before. I like the sound and the message in it.
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Isn’t that a beautiful blessing? 🙂 The song was a new one for me, too, and I too love it’s message. Thank you for stopping by, Teresa. I hope your Sheltie will heal soon! God bless you! 💞
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I so wish that I could literally run straight into His arms! But I know I need to be satisfied with all the other ways I can run to him. Thanks for sharing this; I love the imagery of children being so excited as they run toward us.
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Hi Lisa! It’s good to “see” you again. Yes, wouldn’t that be glorious to literally run straight into His arms? Some day! May we together run to Him for everything in our hearts! 💗
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This is beautiful! Thank you Trudi- 🙂
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Thank you, Susie. 🙂 What a incomprehensible blessing it is that Jesus is always so ready to receive us! Keep writing your hope-inspiring poems, Susie. God bless you and your poetry! 💞
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Hi Trudy! Your story reminded me of a time that my granddaughter ran to meet me too. It was quite a surprise, because she is normally so shy. It meant so much to me. I can completely understand your joy. And to hear ‘Again!’. Precious!
And this is what we are called to be. Runners. Right to our Lord, into his loving arms. I just love this image. Thank you so much for sharing it, and for the prayer too. May we all be runners, and know where to run!
Blessings,
Ceil
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Grandchild time is so precious, isn’t it? We can learn so much from them. Yes, runners. Right into His loving arms. I’m blessed to be on this journey of running with you, Ceil. May we do so without fear, knowing He always has our good in mind. 💗
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Love you Trudy! You really painted the picture of Jesus standing there with his arms wide open in the hallway. Oh how amazing it will be! I love you and your words so dearly. Thank you for being a vital part of the #RaRalinkup.
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Thank you, Kelly, for your always loving encouragement, both at your site and here in the comments. May we together run into the arms of Jesus! 💞
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You made my heart smile. Thank you for these words!
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Oh Sarah, it makes my heart smile just to know I made yours smile. 🙂 Thank you. May Jesus give both of us running feet to Him! 💗
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