‘FRAGILE: HANDLE WITH CARE!’ Part 2 – I’M OUT OF MY COCOON!

SCRIPTURE: The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:14

I have spent a couple of weeks hiding with God in my cocoon. At that time I just couldn’t face the hurts out there in the ‘real’ world. I knew that Jesus would be with me, and he was, but it took a while for healing to reach into my shattered heart. I continued to feel hurt, rejected, and unable to face life’s issues.

But the most marvelous experience has occurred! You see, whilst deliberately cutting the world out, I had beautiful, quality time with my forever friend, Jesus! No condemnation from him, no anger, no resentment, no exclusion. What I felt was a loving God, experiencing with me the the pain, allowing it to stay, not ignoring it or denying it or pushing it away. In the midst of the pain I found, as I have before, a most awesome love, gently wooing me, holding me, and carrying the hurt for me and with me. I knew it was the presence, the power, and the protection of God at work in my damaged emotions. This gentle God quietly worked away, allowing all the fear, doubt and despair to slowly, ever so slowly melt away.

Eventually I found myself aware of this Mighty Presence surrounding me, forgiving my negative attitudes and gradually replacing them with the amazing sense that here I was, surrounded with love, understanding and support. This feeling was totally engulfing me like a tiny baby held in it’s soft, coy shawl, and being rocked by – dare I say it – my Perfect Parent? (To me, God is really Perfect Parent, combining all the very best of fathers, plus the best of mothers – he made both, because both are so important).

God has again lifted me up, and given me power to stand, to be filled again with the Holy Spirit’s comfort and strength and endurance. I am filled with a new confidence,a new hope. I feel ready to take on the challenges of my particular world again, renewed, restored, and emotionally pain-free. I have new insights and a new direction in which to tackle life. I am ready to gradually and carefully venture out of my cocoon again, knowing that my ‘Perfect Parent’ will be with me no matter what.

I am confident to face and enjoy life again, because I really have experienced a personal renewal.

PRAYER: What a faithful God have I. You have surrounded me with loving-kindness, and led me to walk on a different path, and shown me a new way to face my issues. But you have also promised to hold my hand and help me, step by step. You will never leave me, wherever I am, and you will always be gentle. I am now even grateful for this negative experience, Lord, because once again I have found you, the true light shining in every experience, and always offering hope and new solutions. You truly are an Inspiring God!. However can I thank you? But, anyway, THANK YOU, Lord! Amen.

TODAY: Sometime during your busy schedule, take a walk outside during daylight hours. Watch the tiny finches, find the deep purple violets hiding under glossy, dark green leaves, notice the graceful swaying of the newly planted silver birch. All appear so vulnerable to the elements, but they continue with a quiet assurance to flourish. Stop to observe their beauty, and then take a few moments to soak in the fact that God is here to give you that same peace, so that you, too, can grow, develop, and flourish. All is well.

Copyright Julie-Anne Wingate, 2002 .