Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

At play in the fields of the Lord

Saturday, December 15, 2001

Psalm 80:14-19
Return to us, O God Almighty!
Look down from heaven and see.
Watch over this vine,
the root your right hand has planted,
the son you have raised up for yourself.
Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire;
at your rebuke your people perish.
Let your right hand rest
on the man at your right hand,
the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
Then we will not turn away from you.
Revive us,
and we will call on your name.
Restore us,
O Lord God Almighty;
Make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.

I sat on the floor beside Grandpa's rocking chair. I was playing checkers with myself. He was reading a book and rocking back and forth. I made a bad move and beat myself, and I groaned. He stopped rocking, looked down, and he put his hand on my head.

"There, there." He didn't say a word. His hand said everything. I was safe and happy and growing and full of joy. God's hand touches my head, holding my thoughts, giving me peace, permission to play another day.

Grandpa God's hand is really big. It's strong too. I like it best late at night when I'm alone. Alone with the regrets of the day, roads not taken, moments not redeemed, deeds not done. The mighty sins of OM...ission. Sins not covered when I chant a mantra, nor when I determine to do better tomorrow. I can't go back to get the ones I've lost. They are gone. I have beaten myself, and I groan.

"There, there." God rests his hand on Jesus, Jesus rests his hand on me, and our face shines.

Create in me a new heart, O Lord, and restore to me the joy of thy salvation.

Devotions Archive

At play in the fields of the Lord

Saturday, December 15, 2001