Safe and Warm. . .

Glen and I had a cold Saturday.

We began our morning with a chilly sunrise on the river. The temperature was 55 degrees and the wind was blowing against us most of the way. (Read more about our kayaking trip at our kayaking blog, beyond the bow.)

Our day ended at a football stadium which is known for the wind whipping through the stands. As we cheered the local college football team, we once again found ourselves cold and shivering.

Being familiar with this stadium from our oldest daughter's high school band days, we had dressed well for the chill of the game. I had on two shirts, a sweater and a leather jacket and a shawl over that, but the wind still seemed to pierce right through me.

At one point, Glen suggested I sit in front of him and lean back against him. His body blocked the wind and he wrapped his arms around me to help keep me warm. It was such a comforting and comfortable feeling. . . a feeling of safety and of being protected. It was a feeling of rest, as if all I had to do was to lean back and let him take care of everything for me. (That is unless our team was to suddenly make a great play, then we would both be on our feet!)

That feeling of comfort, peace and security made me think of how perfectly at ease and secure we are in the Lord Jesus. No one can pluck us out of His hand and He is everything we could ever need. It brought to mind this old hymn by Fanny Crosby:

Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o'ershaded,
Sweetly my soul doth rest.
Hark! 'tis a song of heaven
Borne in the sweetest voice,
Echoed by saints in spirit,
Making my heart rejoice.

Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o'ershaded,
Sweetly my soul doth rest.

Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe from corroding care,
Safe from the world's temptations,
Sin cannot harm me there.
Free from the blight of sorrow,
Free from my doubts and fears;
Only a few more trials,
Only a few more tears.

Jesus, my heart's dear Refuge,
Jesus has died for me;
Firm on the Rock of Ages
Ever my trust shall be.
Here let me wait with patience,
Wait till the night is o'er,
Wait till I see the morning
Break on the golden shore.

Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o'ershaded,
Sweetly my soul doth rest.


"Now unto Him that is able to do
exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto Him be glory in the church
by Christ Jesus throughout all ages,
world without end.
Amen. "
Ephesians 3:20,21