Hold

"I wanna hold you!"

From the time a child can put it into words, she expresses her need to be held.  My own children both used this expression, which I thought was just precious.  Now they are 9 and 11, but when I hear other children say it, it takes me back to when they were little bitty.

Children aren't afraid to ask for what the want, are they?

Especially when it comes to meeting needs.  Often times they are so persistent.  As adults, I think many of us aren't afraid to ask for things either, but are they the things we truly want or need?

I think of how much I love for my husband to hold me.  When he just puts his arms around me and I feel close to him, it makes me feel safe and protected.

How many of us need to feel that love and protection?  How many don't have that special person that can fulfill that need?

We all have One who can do that for us.

One time, I heard a lady describing how she felt when she prayed.  She said she envisioned herself drawing close to the Savior as He put His arms around her and listened to her heart.

Being held is very much a physical act, but I believe it can be a feeling as well.

How many of us are being held by loved ones?  How many of us ask for it when we need it?  I ask my husband to hold me, but sometimes I need others to hold me in prayer or thoughts, but they won't know that if I don't ask.

We all have the One who can hold us.  And a lot of us have somebody in our life who can "hold" us.  Most of the time, all we have to do is ask.


I'm linking up!

Lonely

I teach music in an elementary school.  While, I love my job, sometimes I feel lonely in the school building.  While classroom teachers have their grade level friends for socializing, leaning on, and conferencing with, I have no one.

Sure I have friends, don't get me wrong.  But when people order out for lunch, they forget about the music teacher.  When they are sitting together at lunch, they don't think of the music teacher.  While they can pop into each other's classrooms for a sec to chat, the music teacher doesn't really have that luxury.

Sometimes it's very lonely being the music teacher.  We are a different breed.  We truly are "special."  If you don't get that, we are called one of the specials, classes students take outside of the regular classroom.

So, I can could go on and on about being lonely, but now let me flip it around to show the positives.

The music teacher is not responsible for any students during lunchtime.  The music teacher does not have to deal with angry parents (too often, at least).  The music teacher does not have too terribly much paperwork.  I really could go on and on...

I guess all in all, while at times I feel a little lonely in my job, I consider myself truly blessed to be "special" and doing a job I adore!




I am linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker's "Five Minute Friday"
Join us here!

Belong

We all have a longing to belong.

My mom always teased me because even in high school I would worry about whether I would know someone the first day of school or have someone to eat lunch with.

I've never been one to do things by myself socially.  In fact next month, I'm going to a wedding in Florida and the thought of not knowing anybody there except the bride (who will be just a teensy bit preoccupied) terrifies me.

Why do I have this fear?

Is it lack of confidence?  Am I too dependent on others for my own happiness?

Why is it so important to belong?  There's a stigma with being on the outside, with being a loner.  Belonging denotes a sense of acceptance.

Here's the cool thing.  There is a place where everyone of us belongs.  That is in God's kingdom.  He has an unbelievable amount of space and an infinite ability to love all.  He wants us all to be a part His "inner circle."

"Inner circle" sounds kind of exclusive, huh?  It is, and we are ALL invited to join.

We all have a place we belong.  It's as simple as that.

I'm praying for those who haven't found their sense of belonging yet.


 Linking up with Lisa-Jo for today’s writing prompt.