Your Embrace

This man. I love him so much and am super crazy proud to call him my husband! Nathan is an amazing man of God and has been an amazing source of support for me. I love his perspective of this day, the Sunday before Josiah’s surgery. He processed and wrote these thoughts that very evening.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.  I eventually wrote about that particular Sunday as well…in July of 2014. It only took me 22 months to process! 🙂 I called the blog post Freedom in Our Stories. I chose not to re-post it in my 31 day challenge because it’s already on the blog, so today is a 2-for-1 blog reading day if you so choose!

FREEDOM IN OUR STORIES – Amy’s post reflecting on September 30, 2012

Your Embrace
September 30, 2012

Today I had the opportunity to take part in one of the most amazingly beautiful and humbling experiences of my life. Upon hearing the news of Josiah first thing Friday morning our dear brother in Christ and associate minister, Rick, sent us an extremely uplifting and heartfelt email. In his email Rick invited our family to come forward during both of our church services for a time of prayer.

As the invitation hymn started playing at the end of first service Amy, Josiah, and I nervously walked to the front. I could not help but be overwhelmed at what was taking place. Would I be able to stand strong for my family, or would I break down and weep for the pain and anguish I felt inside for Josiah? We were greeted at the front with open arms from Rick and Mark, our worship/children’s minister. As the invitation hymn concluded Rick called the elders to come forward and he read James 5:14 – “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” The elders circled around us as Rick anointed Josiah with oil, and then we prayed. We prayed as a church, as a body of believers, as a family. We prayed with confidence; knowing that God will be glorified, knowing that God has a plan, and that He is in control.

Following the prayer each of the elders embraced Amy, Josiah and I. These great men of God then gave us words of encouragement, words of wisdom, words of truth, words of compassion, words of love. As the elders stepped back and the service concluded, a line soon formed as friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, took their turn to embrace us, to encourage us, to cry with us, to support us, to love on us. It was at this moment that we, the body of believers, were one; united in Christ, and God was glorified! Second service ended much the same way. Amy, Josiah and I went forward. Because the elders came first service, Rick had the deacons and other ministers come forward second service. Rick anointed Josiah with oil, and again we prayed. Again we were overwhelmed and humbled with the amount of hugs, and words of encouragement, and tears shared on our behalf. And again we were one, and God was glorified!

During worship time in second service I was reflecting on all that had happened in first service. Have you ever just needed a hug, a warm embrace? Have you ever had one of those days where nothing goes right? Have you ever felt alone? Have you ever been in anguish or deep despair? Do you remember what it is like to receive a hug, a warm embrace from someone very dear to you during those times of greatest need? To me, it is one of the most amazing, comforting feelings there is. Today I experienced dozens of hugs from many of my closest friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. Nothing compares to the sense of encouragement, of belonging, of comfort, of compassion, of love, of peace as one receives a warm embrace from a close friend or family member. As I pondered how honored and humbled, how blessed I was to be loved by so many we sang Forever Reigns:

You are good, You are good
When there’s nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You’re the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting

Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I’m made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I’m letting go

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

My heart will sing
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You see, there is something that compares. Something that is far greater than the embrace of a close friend, the embrace of our Lord and Savior. As we sang these words I found myself running to His arms and embracing Him. Indeed, nothing compares to His embrace. His love will always be enough. He is good. He is love. He is light. He is hope. He is peace. He is true. He is joy. He is life. He is more. He is Lord. He is here. He is God. It is because of His greatness that I am able to let go of everything and run to His arms. He is waiting with arms open wide. Will you run to Him? Will you embrace Him?

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