Have you ever tried to help an overly tired infant fall asleep?  If so, you can already imagine the whining and thrashing, kicking and wriggling, crying and protesting with every ounce of baby strength left until finally…..mercifully….the tense little muscles begin to relax, breathing becomes more regular and the weary, sweaty little body stops all the resisting and just gives in to the rest it so needs.

Well, it’s been a while since I could be considered any sort of infant, but I have to confess….sometimes I behave like one.  OK, so not literally….but inwardly, maybe just a little bit.  Not all the time – not even every day, but usually when I’m very, very weary.

God isn’t sitting around waiting for us to slow down and come to him….he’s with us in our chaos and through every storm, even the ones we bring on ourselves – we are never away from his care.  But we can try so very hard to make things work out the way we are sure they should – and when it doesn’t go the way we are sure it should go….we have a choice.  We can continue to flail, resist and hold even tighter to the control that seems to make us feel safe…..or…..we can unclench our fists, stare into the face of the one who loves us most and let that love wash over the hurting places until we find rest.

This beautifully honest song by Casting Crowns could be telling the story of my life some days; I think that’s why it’s made the “Top 40!”  There is indeed beauty in surrender, and I think it comes down to trust, doesn’t it?  Do we truly trust God with our heartaches and questions and failures enough to stop fighting and holding on so hard?  Just like our overly tired little one, what if we dared to relax, let go and just sink into the arms of God for a while?  What if we gave up the struggle and trusted completely that he’s got us….and just be held?

That’s my prayer for us on Day 9…..that we find peace, and rest as we snuggle back deep into the love of God.

Shalom.  <3

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Just Be Held

Casting Crowns

And when you’re tired of fighting
Chained by your control
There’s freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go

So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

If your eyes are on the storm
You’ll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You’ll know I always have and I always will

And not a tear is wasted
In time, you’ll understand
I’m painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands

So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where you’ll find Me
And where you are, I’ll hold your heart
I’ll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won’t let go

So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held (stop holding on and just be held)
Just be held, just be held, just be held, just be held