open arms

Dear Candice,
every once in a while I'll see something that is so human and simple that is such a beautiful picture of my relationship with my Father. Today, I watched my 5 year old little sister melt in my dads arms as soon as he got home from work. She heard his car pull in the driveway and ran as fast as she could to him and jumped in to his arms as he sweetly greeted her with soft, caring words. He hadn't been gone but a few hours, but she just couldn't wait to know she was safe in his comforting arms.

Woah. It hit me like a ton of bricks.
Shouldn't I be running into my Fathers arms as soon as I know he's near? Shouldn't I be so eager to feel His arms around me that I stop everything that I'm doing to be with Him? Shouldn't I long to feel His presence so much around me that nothing else in my tiny mind matters? He's never apart from me for just a few hours- or just a few seconds at that. But I've found that it's me who is away from Him.
He is never far from me.

So after this little metaphorical run in with the Holy Spirit, I ran back to my Savior with open arms.
And you know what?
He caught me.
He wrapped His arms around me. He sweetly greeted me with soft, caring words.
All my little worldly worries melted away from the divine embrace with my Jesus.

Run to Him with open arms.
I promise He'll catch you.
I love you.
Love,
Sara

be still

Dear Candice,
I'm sorry I haven't written in so long. I've been so caught in life and in all the random business that I have entangled myself in.
I just haven't taken the time to be still. And that's all I need. In the midst of all this chaos I have been trying to calm myself down by dumping my problems on people but that hasn't been working (go figure).
I have been so caught up in school work, friends, family, dance, and all that stuff that I haven't been still.
So a few nights ago, before I went to bed I decided that I needed real stillness- stillness more than just not moving or not talking. Real stillness of embracing the presence of my Father. So I asked Him to just take me away.
You wouldn't believe the freedom that came from just being safe in His arms for a few minutes.
Those few little moments where all I needed to be refreshed and wake up to His will for me.
All I needed was time with Him.
So now I know that dumping my problems on other people is nothing compared to just sitting silent and still before the throne of a Holy God.
He is all I need.

I love you.
Love,
Sara
'Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nation. I will be exalted in all the earth!' {psalm46:10}