CARRY ME, FATHER

CARRY ME, FATHER
Thursday, September 5, 2019 by Leona Choy

As beautiful and sentimental as is the artist’s rendering of the painting FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND, with a weary child being picked up, implying that Jesus will carry us when we can no longer walk, I suggest it might not be entirely biblically accurate.

(A Dialogue with God)

Huffing and puffing, I approached “The COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT” of the Court of Heaven. I handed an appointment card to Receptionist Angel to let him know I am here for an audience with THE KING.

It read, “Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, and He will hear my voice.” So I figured that whenever I showed up, I would be right on time to come boldly before the Throne of Grace.

Recep Angel stamped it with the current date and time, reminded me that our conversation would be eternally recorded, then motioned me into His Presence. The transcription of our encounter is below. Our Father who art in Heaven replies to me in boldface font, and CAPITAL LETTERS—of course!

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“Your Eternal Majesty, thank You for receiving me. I've heard that You will carry people when things get rough. I think I qualify for Your transport system—I've had about enough! Please pick me up! I’m weary to the bone, my feet are dragging, they are calloused and bunioned, and I need orthotics in my shoes. I'm lagging behind, no longer able to keep pace in the fast track of life’s hectic race. I have a feeling that there’s trouble brewing on the aging path ahead, which I honestly dread.”

THAT SOUNDS SO DRAMATIC, MY CHILD! BUT PLEASE CALL ME “FATHER.”

“Well, Father, I’ve been a long time on Your Way. I have an aching spine and I’m in decline, my prime is past, my age advanced, my body bent, my strength is spent, my spirit wanes, my shoulder complains. I need trifocals and hearing aids to boot. And there’s my bum knee and painful hip. I'm in the days of yellow leaf and around me I see only grief!”

ANY MORE COMPLAINTS?

“I live in earth’s time zone, Father, and I'm no longer strong and fit. I’m experiencing depreciation without any tax benefit.”

THAT'S QUITE AN ORGAN RECITAL, CHILD!

“There’s more! I feel distressed, sometimes depressed 'cause life has lost its kick. My neck has a crick, my body parts are shabby and worn. They’ve been working full time since the day I was born.”

OH MY! HOW OLD DID YOU SAY YOU ARE?

“You already know, Lord. You know all things. I figure I’m well along toward maturity and already reached longevity, but I’m trying to circumvent senility. I feel I'm no longer useful to You as in days gone by when in my prime. Father, indeed, I think that I am going to seed!”

ALRIGHT, CHILD, I'VE HEARD ENOUGH. IN MY ETERNAL SIGHT YOU ARE TRULY STILL MY CHILD, BUT YOU SEEM TO HAVE LOST THAT PERSPECTIVE. YOU ARE PREOCCUPIED WITH A CALENDAR DATE AND COUNTING TIME BY YEARS. I AM THAT GREAT I AM AND THERE IS NO TIME IN ME, ONLY ENDLESS ETERNITY. I AM THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER.

"Yes. that's what You are, Father, but I'm just Your mortal creation."

IF YOU ARE IN ME AND I AM IN YOU, YOU ARE MY “FOREVER-CHILD” AND YOU ARE TIMELESS AND AGELESS TOO. SO IN CHILDHOOD'S SIMPLICITY, ROLL YOUR INFIRMITIES ON ME. LEAN ON MY EVERLASTING ARMS AND WALK IN FULL DEPENDENCY.

“How can I do that, Father?”

IN MY PERFECT PLAN FOR MAN (AND WOMAN TOO) ALTHOUGH YOUR TEMPORARY OUTER-MAN DECLINES AND WASTES AWAY, YOUR FOREVER-SPIRIT INNER-MAN RENEWS ITSELF EACH PASSING DAY. YOUR ETERNAL-SELF DOES NOT DIMINISH OR FADE AWAY TO A WITHERING FINISH. YOU ARE STILL THE APPLE OF MY EYE! I WANT YOU TO FLOURISH AND GROW LIKE THE PALM AND THE CEDAR, FULL OF SAP AND VERY GREEN.

“Do You still expect all that from me when I'm over the hill?

I STILL ANTICIPATE GOOD FRUIT FROM YOU. A RIPER, SWEETER, YIELD EVEN MORE THAN BEFORE AS YOUR ROOTS SINK DEEPER AND RELENTLESSLY PURSUE MY RIVERS OF LIVING WATER. YOU WILL SPROUT YOUNG SHOOTS AFRESH AND NEW.

“But Father, I’m winding down toward sunset, and darkness is scary to me.”

THESE ARE NOT YOUR SUNSET YEARS BEYOND WHICH DARKNESS LIES. YOU JOURNEY NOW TOWARD SUNRISE FOR I AM ETERNAL LIGHT. YOUR SPIRITUAL EYES WON'T DIM. BEHOLDING ME WITH INWARD SIGHT YOU'LL STEP WITHOUT A LAPSE INTO THE GLORY OF ETERNITY IN WHICH YOU ALREADY WALK TODAY, “FOREVER-CHILD,” WITH ME.

“Then are You saying, Father, that You won’t pick me up and carry me?”

I DON'T NEED TO PICK YOU UP, CHILD, BECAUSE I'VE NEVER PUT YOU DOWN! FROM WOMB TO GLORY'S GATE, I THE LORD HAVE CARRIED YOU—THROUGH YOUTH AND PRIME TO GRAYING YEARS, UNTIL THE END OF TIME. IN DISAPPOINTMENTS, TRIALS, AND FEARS, THROUGH ALL YOUR JOYS AND TEARS—I'LL NEVER PUT YOU DOWN!

“Abba, Father, let it be—work out Your Eternal Life in me!"

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From THE RESOURCE BOOK

Isaiah 46:3,4 “...You who have been borne by Me from birth, and have been carried from the womb,

even to your old age, I shall be the same, and even to your graying years I shall bear you! I have done it,

and I shall carry you,
and I shall bear you, and I shall deliver you.”

Psalm 28:9b “[I will] be their shepherd also and carry them forever.”

Isaiah 40:11 “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock; in His arm He will gather the lambs,

and carry them in His bosom;

He will gently lead the nursing ewes.”

Also Psalm 55:22; Psalm 71; Psalm 92:12-17; 1 Cor. 4:16,18;

Hebrews 13:8; Deut.1:31; Job 14:7-9

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Comments

Dorothy Daniels From West Virginia At 9/13/2019 10:44:25 PM

Thank you. I needed this! Dottie

Dorothy Daniels From West Virginia At 9/13/2019 10:44:24 PM

Thank you. I needed this! Dottie

Reply by: Leona Choy

I pray today that the Lord will touch your life at the point of your need. He holds you closely to His heart and knows all about it. The answer is on the way, be patient and don't lose heart.

Dorothy Daniels From West Virginia At 9/13/2019 10:44:24 PM

Thank you. I needed this! Dottie

Reply by: Leona Choy

Dear Dottie, I follow you on FB and pray for the burdens you struggle with in the care of your beloved created companions.He also cares about them. I pray also for your wisdom that you may have a balanced perspective on things of this mortal life while maintaining priorities of Eternal Life. I appreciate your friendship.

White, John From Virginia At 9/7/2019 9:44:39 AM

Bulls's eye, Leona. It almost sounded like you were in a Dark Wood, but He clearly says [and you clearly see] "If so, I'm right there with you:" The pilgrimage continues, FOREVER! :) John, the Elder

Reply by: Leona Choy

God never forsakes us

White, John From Virginia At 9/7/2019 9:44:38 AM

Bulls's eye, Leona. It almost sounded like you were in a Dark Wood, but He clearly says [and you clearly see] "If so, I'm right there with you:" The pilgrimage continues, FOREVER! :) John, the Elder

Reply by: Leona Choy

I'm still waiting for you to send your mailing address so I can send my friend's book to you. Yes, on with the pilgrimage on the wings of Phil.1:6. I have you and Mary in my heart.

Joyce From Kitchener on At 9/6/2019 10:47:41 PM

Thank you Leona, for this beautiful reminder that the Lord is always taking care of us. God bless, Joyce

Reply by: Leona Choy

Joyce, the Lord has His eye on you for good in whatever mountain He has given you to climb. Just jump in his ski-lift and relax. He will give you joy in that journey when you look back and see how far you have come.

Marlene J Bagnull From PA At 9/6/2019 6:44:45 PM

Thank you, Leona. I'm keeping this1

Reply by: Leona Choy

Marlene, the Lord is especially tenderly leading you and your husband through your current health trials and you'll come through like purified silver for His glory. He is hanging on to you when you are too weak to hang on to Him.

Dottie From Danbury At 9/6/2019 12:32:45 PM

I love it, I love it, I love it!

Reply by: Leona Choy

Hold on tight wherever He carries you. The sand would be too hot on your feet if you try to walk alone

Jennifer Siu From Missouri At 9/6/2019 12:28:12 PM

Dear Aunt Leona - Your words are much needed today! I love your blogs and don't tell you often enough how I appreciate them. Thank you for being God's servant!

Reply by: Leona Choy

Don't try to walk alone, Jennifer. Your feet would burn from the sand. Just hold on tight because Jesus know the way ahead for you. Chew on Proverbs 3:5-8 in your present situation to receive the wisdom you need. Something there for you.I wish I knew you personally. We are more than "shirt-tail relatives." Tell me about yourself sometime by email.

Char From Sperryville At 9/6/2019 10:11:24 AM

Leona, As always your words truly speak to me.Thank you for being God's messenger.Love & prayers dear friend!

Reply by: Leona Choy

Dear Char, you have invested your prayers in me so specifically and faithfully that you share in any spiritual harvest that God may grant through me. Mega-thank you and God bless you, in turn.

Nan McCullough Huhta From Florida At 9/6/2019 9:32:41 AM

Leona I needed that today! You continue to be an inspiration to me! What a fun memory I have of being with you at Donna Duffy‘s for our widows New Year’s Day brunch. Thanks for being who you are and being used by our Lord. Love and prayers Nan

Reply by: Leona Choy

Nan, you are divinely planted where the Lord needs you in your sphere of influence. There are doubtless many you can reach who need carrying and you have a word of encouragement for them. This post is an excerpt from my book FABLES OF GOD'S KINGDOM FOR GROWN-UPS which I want to send you as my gift if you give me your mailing address

Portia Merriweather From VIRGINIA At 9/6/2019 8:21:22 AM

Again, as always, I am uplifted by your powerful words, giving all glory to the Father who empowers you. Thank you. What an awesome start to my day, Leona.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Is there someone in your sphere of influence today, Portia, who needs carrying close to His bosom? Be a cheerleader to them. He will carry them along with their burdens--nothing is too heavy for Jesus upon whose mighty shoulders He carries the world