The other day I was in a store and a young child got locked in the bathroom alone. The mother left her two other children and ran to her daughter- determined to get to the child, who was panicking. Apparently the mega hand dryer was running and the light had timed out, all adding to the visceral fear the child was experiencing. The mom called for an employee to come unlock the door and in the few seconds the child was still in the bathroom the mother kept saying, “you’re okay. You’re safe. I’m out here. Can you hear me? I’m here for you.” Sure enough, the door opened and the mother and child embraced affectionately. The mother knelt down on one knee and said “did you hear me in there? I was talking to you. I was trying to help you all along even though it was dark and loud and you couldn’t see me.” The little girl shook her head, she hadn’t noticed her mothers voice at all when she was locked in the bathroom. The mother looked intently in the child’s eyes and said “no matter what- always- I will come for you. I will protect you. I am here for you.” It was about this time that I noticed my jaw hanging open in total awe of what I had witnessed. As I clasped my jaw shut a tear fell from my eye.
How profound this interaction was! I couldn’t help but think about the strong analogy between this and our interaction with our Father when life is loud, dark and we can’t see His face. That’s how life is 98% of the time right? All the while the Father is standing so close saying “you’re okay. You’re safe. Can you hear me? I’m here for you.”
I’m reminded of the story in Luke 15 of the lost sheep. In the message it reads, “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.”
This is our Christ, our Savior, Father to all.
