Weekly Words

Love Makes Room

Parenting teaches you so much about yourself. There is so much Love, ability, and energy that I did not know I had until becoming a father. The other day I was unpacking my SUV to get ready to go home, and as usual it felt like I was moving back in my apartment. Backpack, extra bag for books, grocery bags, hairbrush, and CD was just some of the stuff I was unloading. A friend of mine looked in amazement while seeming to be entertained as I used my shoulders, forearms, hands, and hips to try to hold everything together. Just as I had finished my balancing act and was ready to begin my baggage filled trip to my front door, my two year old son looks at me and demands that I pick him up.

I am convinced that toddlers are born with a magical ability to discern the absolute most inconvenient time to ask for something and then proceed to make demands. Here I was, literally covered with bags, and Bryce has now decided that there is no possible way that he can walk by himself to the front door. At this point my friend perceives my dilemma and offers to help by asking to take something off of my hands. Surprisingly, I declined because I have managed to find a way to pick Bryce up no matter how much other stuff I am holding in and on my arms. So, I responded in a humorously arrogant way, “I am a Father, I’ve learned how to pick up Bryce when my hands are full.”

Whether it is because I am a first time parent or I am simply soft-hearted, I have trouble saying no to Bryce when he wants to be picked up. Even when it seems that I am swamped with stuff on my shoulders, forearms, hands, and hips, I can always manage to make just enough room for Bryce. I believe that there is something about Love that makes a way. There is something about Love that always makes room.

I want to assure you today that we serve a God whose Love always makes room for us. Despite the perpetual problems of the world and the polyphony of prayers God hears, God’s heart always has room for my heartaches. When I cry, God always clears a finger to wipe my tears. When I call, God always clears a phone line to accept my ring. And when I need to be held, God always makes some room to pick me up. We have a Father, whose Love can hold us even when God’s hands are full.

Humbly in Christ’s Love,
Pastor B.A. Jackson