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Girlfriends in God - Jan. 1, 2008

 

January 1, 2008

The Blankie

Sharon Jaynes

 

Today’s Truth

“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

 

Friend to Friend

When my son, Steven, was four-years-old, he loved his blankie. Now that he’s a young adult, I’m just hoping he’s not going to read this devotion, and chances are he won’t. So please don’t send it to him. But he did…love his blankie that is.

 

It was yellow, fuzzy, and had a two inch satin trim around the edge which he affectionately dubbed “his part.” But this square of fluffy fleece was more than a blanket. This was Steven’s security, comfort and friend.

 

For four years, Seven’s yellow blanket was his nighttime companion. Even during the day, I’d see him peek in his room to make sure his friend was still waiting for his embrace. During nap time, I’d watch as Steven clutched his yellow blanket, tucked it under his arm, and rubbed his fingers together over one particular satin covered corner.

 

“This is my part,” he’d say with a smile.

 

And while Steven wasn’t a continual thumb sucker, as soon as his hand grasped the blankie, especially “his part,” the thumb automatically went in his mouth like a plug in a bottle. Those two companions, his blanket and his thumb, were all he needed to comfort his little boy ills.

 

But there came a time in Steven’s little boy life when it was time to give up the blankie. There came a time when the thumb sucking had to stop.

 

“You’re a big boy now,” I explained. “And big boys don’t suck their thumbs.”

 

But as soon as he caught a glimpse of the blanket, in went the thumb. After discovering the correlation and connection between the two, I knew what I had to do.

 

“Where’s my blanket,” my four-year-old tow-headed son asked when we returned home from a trip to grandma’s house.

 

“I think we left it at grandma’s house,” I replied.

 

“We’ll have to go back and get it,” he decided.

 

“Honey, we can’t. Grandma’s house is four hours away. You’ll just have to do without it.”

 

Steven had a fitful night’s sleep as he snuggled in his bed for the first time in his life without the comfort and security of his faithful friend clutched against his chest and his fingers rhythmically rubbing the magical part. But as the days and weeks passed, Steven’s longing for the blanket subsided. Soon, he forgot about it altogether. And the thumb? While it stayed attached to his hand, it never went in his mouth again. He was turning into quite a little man.

 

Thinking back on Steven’s dependence on his yellow blanket has caused my mind to consider the security blankets I have in my own life. No, I’m not taking about a literal blanket of course, but the vices I cling to for comfort. (It’s funny. I stopped at the end of that sentence to take a sip of coffee. One of my vices, for sure.) Do I depend on the approval of friends for security? Do I depend on a tidy appearance for acceptance? Do I cling to material objects for comfort? Do I grab a latte when I’m feeling blue?

 

God wants me to grow up. Sometimes that means putting away anything that I go to for comfort besides Him. That doesn’t mean that I don’t go to my husband or my friends when I need a hug or an encouraging word. It does mean that I am not to depend on anyone other than Jesus Christ for my ultimate security. People disappoint. God is always there.

 

One Easter season, a man was driving down the road with his granddaughter beside him in the front seat. As they passed by a neighborhood church, the little girl noticed three rugged crosses on the hillside. The middle cross was draped with a purple piece of cloth, symbolizing the resurrection of the King of Kings.

“Look grandpa,” the little girl remarked. “Jesus left His blankie.”

 

Ah yes, Jesus left more than his blankie. He left us Himself. Our only true source of security and comfort.

PS. I have a secret. I still have Steve’s yellow blanket. It’s in a cedar chest with other treasures of his childhood. And one day, I envision handing it to another little tow head child…at least for a season.

 

Let’s Pray

Dear God, You and You alone are my Rock, my Fortress, my Strong Tower, and my Hiding Place. Thank You for your unfailing love. Forgive me when I run to another person besides You, when You are waiting for me to run to You. I love you.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

 

Now it’s Your Turn

Has there ever been a time in your life when you depended on another person for security or comfort and he or she let you down?

 

Could it be that you put a responsibility on that person that belongs only on God’s shoulders?

 

Get out you crayons, or a simple pencil will do. Read the blessings given to Benjamin in Deuteronomy 33:12 and draw a picture of the image portrayed.

 

Can you picture yourself between God’s shoulders?

 

More from the Girlfriends

There is only one place to go to for security in our lives and that is to our Creator, God. Did you know that He has great plans for your life! If you would like to discover the dreams that God has for you, you’ll want to read Sharon’s book, Dreams of a Woman: God’s Plans for Fulfilling Your Dreams.

Seeking God?

Click here to find out more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

Girlfriends in God

P.O. Box 725

Matthews, NC 28106

info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

 

 

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