My two children are very different from each other and have very different needs…and they have since the beginning. Ava, as a baby, liked to be held up on my shoulder so she could see what was going on. Lincoln wanted to be cradled so he could see only me. Ava preferred to just be layed down. Lincoln needed movement all the time…rocked, bounced, swayed…and the rougher the better. Ava now likes to curl up to be held, but just for short bursts. Lincoln loves to lay his head on my shoulder and tuck his arms under his belly for sometimes long periods of time. Ava loves to chat while we cuddle. Lincoln prefers to just be quiet.
What’s the point in all of this? The point is that I know how my children like to be held because I know them. How much more deeply does my Heavenly Father know me? How much more does He love me? He has made each of His children unique with unique personalities and needs…and He knows each one intimately. And He knows exactly how to hold us. He has held Josiah in Heaven for an entire year (Praise His Name!)…and He holds me too.
Oh Father, hold me today…perfectly, gently, securely...as You do every day.
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” (John 10:28-29)
*Everything Falls* (Fee) pretty much my theme song
*Jesus Hold Me Now* (Casting Crowns)
Beautiful Things 
Jess I am so blessed to have such a wise woman as my friend! You are so wonderful. I LOVE YOU! Praying for you today…praying God sends special blessings your way. Josiah must be so proud of you and Ava and Link.
Praying for you today, friend. You are an amazing woman of God who is wise beyond her years. I love you and am so thankful God has allowed our paths to cross. Keep pressing on. Someday soon, we will all be face to face with our Saviour and you will see your loved ones again! Praise the Lord for our hope in eternity!
Oh, thank you for this wisdom from God. We are praying you feel surrounded and held today as only God can.
Many hugs!
hi there… you don’t know me and i can’t even remember how i came across your blog. just wanted you to know that your honesty in this journey of grief–the good, the bad, and the ugly–has been an encouragement to me as my husband and i were faced with burying our son last May. Praying for you as the Lord brings you to mind. –Marissa
Thinking about you. Praying for you. Been reading thru Revelation in my devo’s, thinking about Josiah being there in God’s presence and how someday we all will. Thank you Jess for writing so eloquently what we know and feel and believe but can’t put into words as well you do. Sending hugs and prayers your way. ~Cath
Love you, Jess. Your heart is a gift from God to all of us.
I have unceasingly prayed for you this week. All of you…I just cannot imagine, so I pray and then I pray more. I just keep putting myself in your situation and then I keep praying. You are loved, Jess, by so many of us on this earth, too. Thank you so very much for the wonderful analogy. That is going to stay with me. God has given you a gift, Jess. Thank you for sharing it with us. In His love, continuing to pray…