Holding On
(This is one of my many journal entries from Africa. No, I didn't always write the dates and yes, I will randomly post them)
July, 2012-Zambia
"Look at Doreen! She likes to pretend that she is a baby!" laughed one of the mamas in amusement. "Doreen, are you a baby? Is it nice being carried around by auntie Olivia?" she said as she stirred the potatoes that she was frying in a large pot over the fire.
I often carry Doreen around with me, but today, I secured her to my back with a shetangue as the women in Zambia do with their babies. Doreen is five years old and certainly not a baby, but she sure loved the extra attention and all the fun of being carried around like one! As I looked behind me to see Doreen resting her head on my back, grinning and perfectly content, I couldn't help but be reminded of a conversation I had in South Africa a year back.
"She won't fall will she?" I asked nervously as she tied her baby on my back. "Oh no!", the woman replied without a care in the world. "You can jump and dance, and even run from danger. There is no safer place for a baby than secured to her mother."
I've seen the way babies can just sleep so care free as they lay tied on the backs of their mothers here in Africa. Even as people shout and life goes on around them, they continue rest as if they are unaware of the noise (or even the danger) around them. It's as if the baby knows that nothing can touch them as long as they are close to their mothers. They aren't concerned that their mother will drop them or let them fall and it is a total state of dependence and trust between the mother and her child.
So as I carried Doreen on my back, singing with her and hearing her giggle as the other kids made comments to her, I was reminded of myself. All Doreen really wanted was to be held; I think we all have a deep desire to be held. I feel like in this world, we all feel the need to cling onto something. Many cling to a significant other, while others may cling to addictions, hurts, the past, what could be or could have been, or maybe something that we just aren't strong enough to let go of. We are all clinging onto something...and whatever we cling to will either hold us up or hold us back.
Jesus, the more these children cling to me, I want to cling to you. I know that when you are holding me, you will never let go or let me fall. There is no greater joy, no greater peace, no greater rest, no greater love, no greater security, no greater satisfaction that can be found other than in your arms. No matter what circumstance comes my way, I know that you are holding me and I have no reason to fear. Give me faith to trust you as you pull me closer. Thank you for using the faith and the joy of a child to remind me what it's like to cling to you.
Clinging to you,
Your daughter
July, 2012-Zambia
"Look at Doreen! She likes to pretend that she is a baby!" laughed one of the mamas in amusement. "Doreen, are you a baby? Is it nice being carried around by auntie Olivia?" she said as she stirred the potatoes that she was frying in a large pot over the fire.
I often carry Doreen around with me, but today, I secured her to my back with a shetangue as the women in Zambia do with their babies. Doreen is five years old and certainly not a baby, but she sure loved the extra attention and all the fun of being carried around like one! As I looked behind me to see Doreen resting her head on my back, grinning and perfectly content, I couldn't help but be reminded of a conversation I had in South Africa a year back.
"She won't fall will she?" I asked nervously as she tied her baby on my back. "Oh no!", the woman replied without a care in the world. "You can jump and dance, and even run from danger. There is no safer place for a baby than secured to her mother."
I've seen the way babies can just sleep so care free as they lay tied on the backs of their mothers here in Africa. Even as people shout and life goes on around them, they continue rest as if they are unaware of the noise (or even the danger) around them. It's as if the baby knows that nothing can touch them as long as they are close to their mothers. They aren't concerned that their mother will drop them or let them fall and it is a total state of dependence and trust between the mother and her child.
So as I carried Doreen on my back, singing with her and hearing her giggle as the other kids made comments to her, I was reminded of myself. All Doreen really wanted was to be held; I think we all have a deep desire to be held. I feel like in this world, we all feel the need to cling onto something. Many cling to a significant other, while others may cling to addictions, hurts, the past, what could be or could have been, or maybe something that we just aren't strong enough to let go of. We are all clinging onto something...and whatever we cling to will either hold us up or hold us back.
Jesus, the more these children cling to me, I want to cling to you. I know that when you are holding me, you will never let go or let me fall. There is no greater joy, no greater peace, no greater rest, no greater love, no greater security, no greater satisfaction that can be found other than in your arms. No matter what circumstance comes my way, I know that you are holding me and I have no reason to fear. Give me faith to trust you as you pull me closer. Thank you for using the faith and the joy of a child to remind me what it's like to cling to you.
Clinging to you,
Your daughter
Isaiah 40:11
"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have young."
Me with Doreen tied to my back.
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