“I will carry you”
When I was a little girl, I loved to go on walks with my dad. I used to tell him all about my hopes and dreams, my aspirations and desires for a future career…which happened to be a ballerina and a scientist, and I’m pretty sure I thought I could be both at the same time—why not? He would patiently listen and would always encourage me with, “Katie, you can do anything you like.” He never squashed my dreams, even my childish ones.
On these walks, sometimes I would get tired and ask him to carry me, which he always did. I knew the extent of his father’s love and I felt confident that if I needed to make that request, I could, and he would meet that need with love and compassion for me, his child. And today, as I listened to a song on my playlist that I had not listened to in a long time, the chorus sang out, “I will carry you.”
The Lord reminded me, yet again, of just how deep His Father’s love goes and that He will carry me, and you my friend, with great love and compassion. Take a look at His words to the Israelites:
“Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:3,4
Isn’t this beautiful? Though the words were directly written to the Israelites, this is an aspect of the Father’s character and it does not change, which means this is true for us as well. Until our last day on this Earth, He—who made us—will carry and sustain us and rescue us in our time of need.
Take a look here at what Moses says to the Israelites about the Father:
“Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.’ ” Deuteronomy 1:29-31
“…as a father carries his son…” In our most terrifying, daunting, or uncertain times, God will carry us even as a father carries his son…with the same love and compassion, He will hold us close. Just as He carried the Israelites until they reached the Promised Land, He will carry us on our journey as well, all the way to the end of our days and until we reach our promised Heavenly Home.
Here’s my personal favorite:
“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.” Isaiah 40:11
My heart is melting as I consider this and as my mind tries to wrap itself around the picture of the Father gathering us in His strong arms and holding us so close to his heart…so close that we can hear the very beating of it. Such comfort and security there in His arms!
I don’t know what season you may be in—one of difficulties or pain or perhaps one of fulfilled promises and joy. Regardless, take comfort in the beautiful reminder that Your Father loves you and is carrying you and holding you as you walk out the path He has for you on this Earth, and He will continue to do so until the end of your days.
Katie Botello
FBC Aztec Member