A Kiss of Blessed Assurance
The man held fast to his prized possessions. In fact, he had so many possessions, each hand was needed and both fists were full. Some might ask—how much is enough? The response could well be— enough is enough! We’ve all heard these words spoken, but when one observes it going down in real time, the visual helps embed new meaning.
If two fists full weren’t enough to complete the first part of this story, the second part of the story began when he chose to grab onto arm loads. From my vantage point, it looked as though he clung even tighter this time around as you will soon see.
I’ve been there, I thought. Not quite like this, but I’ve been there as I, too, love my possessions.
He apparently loved that which was in his grasp so much, he actually lifted what he held on to—and kissed it. Yup, he kissed it! At first glance, I didn’t think I was seeing things correctly, but within seconds, I knew I had. How did I know?
I knew because I watched— as that which was in his grasp was the hand of his little girl. As he gave a gentle kiss of reassurance upon her hand, her eyes turned upwards towards the face of her father, and without a shadow of a doubt knew how much she was loved. As the man in the pew ahead looked on towards the cross, his daughter’s eyes were fixed upon him as her right shoulder pressed even more firmly into the arm of her daddy who stood alongside her.
And what was he holding in his other hand? He held the hand of another child and playfully distracted this one with a firm grip as the game of “I’m stronger than you are” took place between them. This child, too, looked up towards the face of his father whose eyes were focused upon the cross.
I suppose one could say that’s how we keep our focus—eyes on the cross as little eyes watch on. Yes, I suppose. But is there another way to keep our focus? Just as the first part of this story unfolded, the second would soon follow.
The family shifted positions because, you see, mama’s arms held yet a third child as the fourth lingered close by. When her arms wearied, she passed this precious possession over to the father and in his arms, he now carried the little one. As mama turned, one couldn’t help but see that child number five would soon arrive.
As together they clung to the little ones in their care—their silent fiat (decree) could be heard. “Yes, Lord, be it done unto me according to Thy Word” (Luke 1:38).
With our eyes on the cross, our fiat can reassuringly remain “yes” as we cling tightly only because He clings tightly to us. “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” three in One. Pure gift it is as we allow ourselves to be fully embraced by the love the Father desires to lavish upon us (1John 3:1). Amen.
