Safe in His Arms

He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11

As a chaplain, I hear many inspiring stories from the elderly persons I serve. However, there are some days that are emotionally heavy due to the pain and struggles they face. Loneliness, dementia, and other losses are things they may experience.

On one particularly "heavy" day, I walked into a woman's room who has been there for the past eleven years. Once a vibrant Christian woman, she is no longer able to feed herself, walk or talk and spends her days lying in her bed sleeping. As I quietly prayed over her, I asked the Lord, "Why so much injustice, so much pain?" My eyes left her and moved to a picture hanging above her bed - a picture I had never noticed before. Jesus stood in the center surrounded by sheep. In one hand he held a staff and in the other, a lamb. The lamb was resting securely in its Shepherd's arms, cradled against His chest. At that moment, I knew the answer to my question. It's as if God was saying, "I never intended for the pain and the injustice. This world is broken but I am here through the injustice and the pain. I will carry her through this." It was clear, she was the lamb He held in His arms. We are the sheep that follow Him and when one of us is in need, our Father and Shepherd, picks us up and holds us close. Isaiah 40:11 says that He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.

Today, let's be reminded that even though trials and tears may come, we are not alone. Jesus carries the helpless and dependant. He carries you and me.

Lord, there is so much pain we carry. Whether young or elderly, we must deal with the often unexpected things this life throws our way. Thank you for never leaving us, but for carrying us through the storm.

Jocelyn Hamsher