The Heartbeat of God

For those of us who are parents or grandparents, do you have a clear memory of when you first met your son or daughter or your grandson or granddaughter? I remember when we were getting ready to meet our granddaughter from Japan for the first time. Our son and daughter-in-law were coming to Canada with their daughter and there was a lot of excitement on our part. There was one big dread though, her parents and sister were coming at the same time. They wanted to visit Canada and what better way to do that than with their daughter.  

Why the dread? They knew our granddaughter first and she knew them. They had been holding her for 7 months. She did not know us. We were afraid that when she cried or wanted to be held, we would not have that opportunity because the Japanese grandmother would step in before we could. Or perhaps she would continue to cry while we held her, then others would feel that we needed to give up the holding time for someone more experienced. The trip did not happen due to Covid, so our fears were unnecessary. 

It is so important for children to hear the heartbeat of their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles; to know that these are the ones that will care for them and nurture them for the rest of their lives. It is more than the "Heartbeat of America," as the commercial goes. It is the love, the joy, the oneness that you feel when you hear that heartbeat and you can rest in their arms and know that you are loved.

I think of the picture Footsteps in the Sand, where Jesus said that there is only one set of footprints because He is carrying you. Have you ever considered HOW He is holding you in His arms? When He holds you, your head is against His chest. You are listening to His heartbeat, learning to love and trust Him, knowing that you are loved.

When David tried on King Saul's armour, he took it off and said it did not fit. The armour was made for Saul. It had Saul's imprint on it. The armour had felt Saul's heartbeat. It did not beat with the heart of David. What armour did David use? He used the armour of God, the armour he was used to–the armour he used to kill the lion and the bear–the heartbeat he felt with his heavenly Father.

What armour are you wearing? What heartbeat are you listening to? Is your head snuggled into His chest, listening to His heartbeat? The heartbeat of God speaks uniquely to each one of us. Listen to it carefully.