Recently, I got a surprising hug from one of my favorite ladies in Nashville. I got to know her by name really quickly when I moved here, and we’ve always exchanged “hellos” and “how’s your day going?” etc. Unlike the typical passing conversations, there’s been this genuine well-wishing between us whenever we see each other. When she says she hopes I have a good day, I know that she really means it… and I do too. I hadn’t seen her in a while, but when I saw her today it brought such joy to my heart. She hugged me – which, if you know me, you know that caught me off guard completely. I mentioned I hadn’t seen her in a while, and she told me she’d been away for a while.
I’ve never heard her story from her, but I have heard parts of it. Parts that make my heart want to explode because they’re so heavy. Parts that make me wish I could take some of the rougher stuff away – maybe edit it, lighten it up, etc. but I’m not the author of her story.
It’s a neat feeling when you realize that the salvation, peace, healing, and redemption you ache for someone else to have is greatly surpassed by their Maker’s desire for them to be saved, have peace, be healed and redeemed. It’s a small taste of His heart that humbles you almost immediately – because the moment you realize you can’t save, heal or redeem is the moment that you bring it before the only one who can – it’s the moment you become dependent. Just like a child coming to her perfect Father.
Abba – save. redeem. heal.
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