My daughter is obsessed with animals, especially our cats. Poor Chester and Henry- they just roll right along with her tugging them around, holding them, and her version of “playing”- which they probably don’t think of as playing. Recently, I heard my daughter say “It’s okay. I’ve got you. Don’t be scared. I’m right here.” I looked over and she was holding Chester and talking to him. It took me a minute for it to register but she was saying those words because she had heard me say them to her a thousand times. She’s not the greatest sleeper and she would often wake up in the middle of the night. I would pick her up and the first thing that I would say to her is that she’s safe and then say “I’ve got you. Mama is right here.” As I held her, I could hear her breathing slow down and she would drift off to sleep. She knew my voice, knew I was there and knew that she was safe. She was able to repeat those words because she knew what being safe felt like.
As I was observing her talking to the cat, I was reminded of our Heavenly Father. How many times does He speak those same words over us? “I’ve got you. Don’t be scared. How many times do we truly believe those words? We know them to be true but to actually feel their truth displayed in our lives. I think it’s because we’re too busy to stop, come to Him and listen.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV.