See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. // 1 John 3:1

“I don’t have a box for you; this is the last one.” I smiled at her, knowing the Father had saved it just for me. 

I had come to the gift shop with high hopes of finding a beautiful vintage medallion of the Blessed Mother. Something large and preferably gold with a long chain. Instead I stood at the counter, debit card in hand, with a small silver medal of God the Father. Face serene, arms spread wide, one palm open, His other hand extended in blessing.  

It wasn’t what I was looking for, but it was perfect.

I’ve been in what I like to call my “Father era” lately, discovering in a deeper way the tenderness and closeness of God. I thought I knew the Father. I thought my “father-anguish” had been healed. But within me there is still a shy and reticent little girl, anxious to come out of hiding but never feeling safe enough to do so. 

I’ve found rest for that part of my heart in my imaginative prayer in the loving arms of the Father. 
With the Father, I can be quiet or distracted, sad or fearful, silly or sleepy. My moods don’t affect the strength of His arms or the steady beat of His Heart. Instead I snuggle against His chest, exactly as I am, and the big emotions come back down to size.

This is who I am, His little daughter. This is who you are, too: His little child. This is where we belong.

In the Father’s arms, you don’t have to solve your problems or get over your pain. You don’t have to hold all the things when you let Him hold you. You simply get to rest. To be yourself. To match your breathing to the One Who breathed life into your soul and created the universe. And to feel the weight of His loving hand upon your life.

This is where you belong—in the warmth of His embrace, lulled into peace by the strong beat of His Heart. You don’t have to come out of hiding alone, dear sister. The Father’s arms are wide open to receive you.