We are not alone - God is pursuing us.

Photo by Maureen Kennedy Macel

When my 2-year-old niece and I play outside at my parents’ house, she loves to run down the sidewalk to the end of the street. A few weeks ago on a warm and sunny day, she took off running, never looking back, and laughing with delight the entire way.

I didn’t want her to get too far, so I was running quietly and closely behind her. Suddenly, a dog barked from inside a neighbor’s house, and I saw fear flash across her face and she froze. She quickly turned to run back to the safety of our family, and as she turned, I was there within arms length, and I reached for her. She saw me, and I saw her fear disappear in an instant. She flashed a big smile, turned around, and started running away again.

My niece's running is totally beautiful and innocent, but through this God allowed me to see:

• Sometimes we are running full speed toward our own desires and away from God's best for us. No matter where we go, or how far go, or how lost and alone we feel, Jesus never leaves our side. He is pursuing us. When we stop, he is there. When we turn toward what is good and true, the way back is not as long as we may expect because at that exact moment, God is reaching for us. He closes the distance. He will carry us to the way of real love and possibility.
• When I reached out for Nora, I was so deeply happy to see her fear disappear because she knew she was safe.  If this is my human experience of love and joy of being there for a child, imagine how much more God who is holy and the source of all love experiences love and joy for his children.
• God will always chase us with only love in his sight. And in the moments when we stop, he reaches for us and rejoices that he can be our Savior, Protector, Rescuer, and Friend.

The Lord will always be pursuing and waiting for us. He rejoices when we stop, when we turn back, and when we grab hold of his arms and let him carry us.  His heart is pure mercy.