“Uppie!” my granddaughter, Lucie, said as she reached her arms toward me. As soon as I scooped her up, Lucie pointed in the direction she wanted to go. We walked our usual route around the house. She said hello to the quail décor perched high on the windowsill, played a few keys on the piano, and then pressed the buttons on the dryer so they beeped. I enjoyed every moment of indulging her wishes. Uppie, short for “up, please,” is the cutest phrase I’ve ever heard. It works like magic, even when I’ve just sat down. 

It reminds me of my son years ago when he asked to be picked up. He would say, “Hold you” instead of “Hold me.” He learned it from my asking him, “Do you want me to hold you?” when he reached for me. How sweet that children’s earliest expressions often convey their desire to be held.

Not everyone is held when they yearn for it. Sometimes the reasons are unintentional and temporary, such as when parents are busy. However, in some families, parents seldom hold their children, which leaves them yearning for assurance and connection. No matter our age or circumstance, we need comfort, security, and love. Whether young or old, we all need to be held. 

During one season as an adult, I experienced a painful betrayal and desperately needed comfort. I felt unloved and rejected, and I needed to be held by a love that would never let me go. I meditated on God’s Word until it saturated my soul. Whenever my heart ached, I recalled verses from memory and sensed His protection and care. Sometimes I tangibly felt God’s presence envelop me with His peace and love. I would sit and soak in it. Looking back, I marvel at how an invisible God comforted me in that way. 

During that season, these verses became my favorites:

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

— Psalm 91: 4 NIV

Photographer Unknown

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

— Isaiah 41:10 NIV

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

— Psalm 23:4 NIV

“He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”

— Isaiah 40:11

During that season, a dear mentor of mine gave me the picture of a momma bird covering her two chicks (above), to remind me of God’s loving care.

Whether your soul desires connection, like a child who simply wants up, or is heavy with sorrow, I hope you will soak in the comfort of God’s love today. Rest assured, whenever you reach for Him, He will gladly respond. 

Attachment: 'God You've Never Failed Me' by Ian Yates

“Love one another deeply, from the heart.”

— 1 Peter 1:22 NIV

At the end of my good friend’s 40th birthday celebration, her husband surprised her with a wedding ceremony to renew their vows. The officiating pastor commented that younger couples “don’t see their lover’s flaws and can’t imagine getting in a fight with them.” In comparison, he noticed that couples who have been married for several years, as my friends have, will naturally experience plenty of turbulence in their marriage. 

That evening, my friend’s husband quipped, “The reason we’re not divorced is that she’s too stubborn to quit!” So, there they were, renewing their commitment after 21 years together, tenaciously contending for love – a love that sacrifices for the other’s good.

Love is important because it’s vital to our bodies and souls. Life without love would be like life without the sun.  If your heart has been broken, you understand the pain and loss of love. We need love not just from lovers, but from our friends, and families too.

We can easily see our need for love. Yet do we realize how flawed our ability to love is? Jesus says that loving God and loving people summarizes all the law. Yet, if we look at God’s commandments, we can quickly see how we fall short. We may profess love but fail to live it. Instead of sacrificially giving for another’s highest good, we meet our needs selfishly, despite the harm it causes. This is what creates the rocky road many have traveled. So, what is perfect love, and is there hope for us?

My favorite example of love is God, who is love.

God looked down from heaven and instead of despising us for our depravity, He set in motion a dramatic rescue. Jesus left heaven to sacrifice his life in our place so we could enjoy freedom from sin and death, and live for eternity with God. I’m in awe of this kind of love.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ”

— John 3:16-17 NIV

God’s love gives sacrificially. It gives instead of takes. It seeks our highest good. It holds out its arms to us all day long.  It never fails.

In terms of loving others as completely as God does, I see how I miss the mark.  But here is the beautiful thing - because God has given me his Holy Spirit … when I feel I can’t love, He can.

This is the awareness that my friends (above) have come to realize.  They have struggled and gotten back up. They have decided to put each other first and give generously and selflessly. They have renewed their vows as a sign of their commitment to love – knowing their source of love, is God.

I hope you see this applies to all relationships, not just marriage.  Is there someone you need God’s help to love? It can be difficult, but not impossible. Will you ask God to fill you with his love for that person? Ask him to help you in your specific area of weakness.

His resources never run dry. He will fill you and help you.

This filling from God is like a waterwheel … we receive to give, receive to give, receive to give … and around and around it goes. 

His love, made perfect, in us.