On the climbing wall, looking down

When I left work yesterday I decided I needed some time alone with God and some open air, so I headed for the park. I've said it before, but there's just something about walking along the rocks and sitting beside a small waterfall, watching the butterflies, listening to the birds, etc.

Of course sitting on rocks isn't always the best for a healing lower back so after a while I took my book to sit on one of the swings. It was so quiet. So peaceful. Then a guy showed up with his three kids to play on the playground. So much for the peace and quiet, but then I was the one sitting in the playground area and not playing so I couldn't exactly be annoyed. I half read and half watched the kids and how he interacted with them.

He helped his little girl, Holly, climb the climbing wall and finally she reached the top and sat up there. She was fine until he walked away to get some water and suddenly she wanted down.

"Daddy help!" So he walked over and said, "Just jump, I'll catch you." She gave him that look that conveys "You want me to do what?"

From my perspective I knew he would no doubt catch her. She only had to jump about a foot before she would be in his arms, but I also knew that from her perspective it was a loooong way down.

"I can't I'm scared," she cried. "It's ok sweetie, I'll catch you. Jump. Fall over. Do whatever you want, but I promise I'll catch you."

Again there was that pause and finally she leaned over with her arms outstretched and of course he caught her, lifted her above his head and tickled her on the way down.

In that moment I had such a clear picture of the Father's heart and could almost hear Him speaking to my own trembling nature, "Just jump. I promise I'm here to catch you. I love you."


"When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me. He loves us so Oh, how He loves us. Oh, how He loves us. He loves us so."
excerpt from song How He Loves by John Mark McMillan