I hadn’t thought about it in years, yet the image was just as clear to me now as being there, as the memory came rushing in. I had spent three months in Great Britain and Ireland, serving on a short-term mission trip. It was my final full day in a border town on the line between Northern Ireland and the Republic. It was August 2, 1990 – the day Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to the first Gulf War. A travel advisory had been issued for Americans overseas. It was the day before I was to fly home to the U.S.

I’d seen war on TV. I was old enough to have been alive for the Vietnam war, but really didn’t remember it. Now I was a 21 year old American. Overseas. Flying home alone. I was afraid.

Feeling overwhelmed, I excused myself from the group talking at the table and went into the living room of our host for the evening. I curled up in a big over-stuffed leather armchair and pulled my knees up to my chin, leaning into the corner. As I sat sinking in, I couldn’t help but feel as though I was sitting on a comfortable, welcoming lap with safe and secure arms around me. A song written by Dottie Rambo started playing in my head that my mother used to sing a lot – “Sheltered in the Arms of God.”

I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender.
They're leading me in the paths that I must trod.
I'll have no fear for Jesus walks beside me
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.

So let the storms rage high,
The dark clouds rise,
They don't bother me;
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.
He walks with me,
And naught of earth shall harm me,
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.

As the chorus continued to play through my mind, I felt my body begin to relax – even to the point of being able to fall asleep for a bit, with no worries or fears troubling my dreams. I felt safe there. I knew that no matter what happened on my journey home, I would be okay. I was on Jesus’ lap, and no one could remove me from His embrace.

Now, all these years later this image has come back to me during a time not of physical danger or unrest, but insecurity nonetheless. As was the case during my three months overseas, I have had many frightening and stressful experiences in my own healing journey along with many joys. There are days when I feel overwhelmed with insecurity and instability – frightened with what tomorrow will bring. Though my marriage has healed from the betrayal that brought me to this ministry, there are still days when I so desperately need to go sit in the big chair on my Father’s lap and allow Him to sing me to sleep. I believe that it is no coincidence that this image came back to me during an Immanuel Prayer session last year when I was in a place of vulnerability due to a medication change, and again recently as I worried over financial concerns. It was God reminding me to come and rest. In that, I find an immense joy. The God of the Universe wants to hold me in His arms and reassure me! He really must love me.

Are you finding yourself in need of a Father’s embrace this Christmas? Go find your “chair.” Let Him sing you to sleep and remind you of his cherishing protection and assurance that no matter what happens in this physical realm, you are His and He will not let you fall.