There’s nothing much better than being greeted by a youngster who’s running joyfully into your open arms. This is one of the delights of being a grandparent. For some kiddos, it’s a natural response. Others need a little more coaxing. But once they experience the thrill of this loving interaction, you’d better be ready next time Jr. arrives at your front door or you at his.

Scripture is scattered with references to God’s arms.

• God made Himself a nation “by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” (Deuteronomy 4:34).
• “[H]is right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him” (Psalm 98:1).
• The LORD spoke, “With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please” (Jeremiah 27:5).
• The LORD is portrayed as a shepherd who “gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart” (Isaiah 40:11).
• In the New Testament, we find Jesus gathering the children in His arms and blessing them. (Mark 10:16)

But one of the most beautiful illustrations of all is Jesus’ parable of the prodigal or rebellious son. When the son realized his mistakes, he decided to humbly return to his father. Jesus described their meeting. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

Note that this time, it was not the child who was running. It was the father.

Imagine that, you and the Father . . . and know that the heavenly Father is near whenever you choose to come to or return to Him. His love for you never wavers and you are never out of His reach when you reach for Him.