Visiting at a friend’s house one afternoon, I watched as I saw a mother interacting with her young toddler son. Actually, there wasn’t much interaction, because every time the little boy would want to come near to his mother or the other adults in the room, who were all sitting together playing a game, the mother would tell her young son, “Go on, go play in the other room,” sending the toddler away with a broken heart, a look of disappointment on his face.
In essence, the mother was saying to her child, “I am doing something right now, and I don’t have time for you.”
Repeated Rejection
Time after time, the toddler would slowly ease his way toward the mother, hoping to gain his mother’s attention or just wanting to sit in her lap. But she would still ignore the child’s silent pleas because she was more interested in her own selfish pleasures and did not want to be interrupted by his persistent attempts.
Though the young toddler seemingly looked confused by his mother’s actions toward him, he would hesitantly return to his area of play. And though he longed to be in his mother’s arms, if just for a moment, to be close to her and feel her embrace, he would go.
A Convicting Realization
I was saddened by what I saw that day, and later I thought about it even more. The mother had kept a distance between herself and her child—an arm’s length.
Suddenly, in that moment of time, as I sat there replaying the whole scenario in my head and even making judgment in my heart, I became aware of my own actions toward God—when at times I didn’t want to be bothered or interrupted because of my own selfish pleasures.
It grieved my spirit, and my heart was saddened.
Keeping God at a Distance
How many times, or how often, had I sent God away, keeping Him at an arm’s-length distance from me? How often had the Holy Spirit nudged me ever so gently, reminding me to spend time with my Father God, who only wanted me to simply crawl up in His lap so He could place His loving arms around me?
The Choice Before Us
The fact is, Jesus loves me—this I know—and He wants to show me and tell me so. But it’s up to me.
Will I choose daily to run into my Father’s open arms, or will I have those missed opportunities that keep me at an arm’s length from my Father?
What Scripture Says
James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” Yes, this is what I choose.
Lastly, Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Final Call
Run into His arms today—He is waiting.
Bevery Whitworth 2-7-26
Beverly also wrote this beautiful song about rejoicing over God.
I Rejoice Over You
There’s quietness all around me
As I come to meet with You
I’m touched by Your grace
As I seek Your face
And I’m longing for You once again.
My heart is filled with desire
And Your arms are open wide
I long to draw near
As I find You here
And I hear Your Word speaking to Me…
Chorus
I rejoice over you!
I am singing over you!
I love you for you are My child.
You’ve come to the right place
Just receive My embrace
I love you for you are Mine!
Come up higher for I am here now
There’s no waiting to be with Me.
I hold out My hand
So you’ll understand
I’m calling you into My presence.
Let your heart commune with Me
Surrender to Me your will
You’ve made Me your choice
Now lift up your voice
And listen to these words that I speak…
Written by Beverly Whitworth
on 2-7-26
