“The Father’s first Whisper

is more than just words.

It’s a Promise

Whispered for a lifetime.”

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“In His Hands”

by Debbie Allen

I bypass countless pictures on Instagram all of the time, but this image brought my scrolling session to a screeching halt. This image went viral on social media, which I can understand! I took one look at this picture and my heart turned to mush.  I had no personal connection to these babies, I had no idea who the mom was that posted the picture, or who the dad was holding his twins. All I really knew for sure was when I read the endearing message written across the bottom of the image, I had the complete storyline…the reason it went viral. Normally, when I get to this point with an Instagram post, I scroll-onward, sending the picture off into the social media abyss for ever and ever! But something held me back that day…or Someone. So, I decided to take a screenshot of that snapshot instead and save it to my phone for future reference. Well…it only took five minutes before I found myself back in my phone still enthralled by the faces of those two new-born strangers resting in their daddy’s arms.  During this time, an unexpected song bubbled up from deep inside of me… a song I hadn’t sung since my own children were toddlers:

“He’s got the Whole World in His Hands…He’s got the Whole World in His Hands….He’s got the Whole Wide World in His Hands …He’s got the Whole World in His Hands!”

Intrigued by the timely arrival of the internet image, and now the song resonating down inside of me; my mind shifted gears. I was beginning to understand this was more than just a coincidence… it felt more like a God Moment!  I sensed God impressing upon my heart to take a second glance at the photo—to look deeper…past the obvious.  To search and see what was hidden beyond this adorable, and heartrending viral photo. Do you know what I saw when I dared to take that second glance? Something more unexpected, and more beautiful than I ever imagined!

You see, everything God does in a life is done with a greater purpose…so it made perfect sense to me that the simultaneous arrival of the internet image, and the song inside of me, were pointing me to something specific. Unable to shake the words resonating in my head, I decided to pay attention to them.  I envisioned replacing the original tagline on the photo, with the words of the song still playing inside of me: “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands!” I’m so glad I did…because I watched this God-Inspired Tagline transform that same earthly photo into a Heavenly Snapshot!

“The Heavenly Snapshot”

(As envisioned in my mind’s eye)

Staring down into the faces of those two angelic twins, I began to see a much bigger picture laying in front of me. This image reflected back to my heart how our Heavenly Father’s Arms and Hands are wrapped around His children…Loving them beyond words. His familiar Whispers brushing up against their newborn ears, as they did in those precious moments when He knit their souls together in their mother’s womb.  I could see that the Father’s Arms and Hands formed a Circle of Perfect Love.  Love big enough to hold those precious little souls ever close to His Gracious Heart. Love that promises it will never fail them. I no longer saw a newborn sister with her tiny thumb sticking out of her twin brother’s mouth as just adorable. I saw a reflection of both Jesus and Humanity closely, entwined within that Circle. Humanity’s eyes were pointed upward, crying out in helplessness to the Father above. Jesus was laying so near to the one He loves so deeply, longing to rescue and comfort.  Sacrificial Love on display, I watched Jesus responding to another’s tears…reaching towards that one in need, towards the one crying-out, willingly giving Himself for another, in order to silence the cries of all Humanity. I saw Jesus… the One satisfying hunger, slaying thirst, and filling the gnawing emptiness-of-soul that without Him, would’ve claimed the lives of all Humanity for all Eternity.

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“How deeply intimate and how far-reaching is The Father’s Love for His children!”

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Reframed by a second glance, and relabeled with a God-Inspired Tagline, this Heavenly Snapshot rendered me speechless. This image, too, went viral, but not on the internet, where images spread like wildfire throughout social media for all the world to see.  This snapshot went viral on my personal Inner-net.  That secret and sacred place, deep within my soul where I am drawn daily to connect with an Audience of One…my Heavenly Father. The eyes of the world will never see what’s posted here. Each Inner-net post radiates the Extravagance of my Father’s Love. Every snapshot arrives unexpectedly, yet at the perfect time … on the currents of His Grace, carrying with it the Truth of the Father’s Love, spilling into all those dry and empty places crying out within me. Here in the secret place, my burdens are lessened, and my faith increased. Here, I am forever a little girl who will never outgrow my Father’s Arms. The moment I sense His Arms and Hands wrapped around me, holding me ever-so-close…  I hear His Whispers more clearly, and understand more deeply, the true beauty of the Matchless Love streaming from my Father’s Great Heart into mine. Whether I bring tears, or joy into this Circle of Perfect Love, whenever I step away from this secret place I can know without doubt, in my frail human heart…

“He’s got my whole world in His Hands!”

“His Left Hand cradles my head

While His Right Hand holds me close.

I am at rest in this Love.”

(Song of Songs 2:6)

Father in Heaven,

Thank you for this Heavenly Snapshot of Your Everlasting Love for Humanity. What a vivid picture of Your Arms and Hands, Your children, Your only Son, Jesus, and the Infinite Beauty of Your Great Heart! You truly are to Your children…everything that we cannot be on our own.  Your Faithfulness and Love astound us! You give what we hunger and thirst for at just the right time. You have captured our attention…now help us to keep our eyes focused on You. You draw near to those who cry out to You. Father…You manifest Yourself as kindness in all You do. How eternally grateful we are to be surrounded by so great a Circle of Perfect Love. May we reflect that Love and Saving Grace into the lives of those around us, resting in the Peace of knowing this Truth:

“You’ve Got Our Whole World in Your Hands!”

In Jesus Name we pray…AMEN