We went to dinner the four of us and somehow conversation turned to weird stories we had recently heard. One of us shared about children sticking out their tongues and getting them stuck to poles in the recent cold weather. It seems to happen to at least one child every winter. But recently there has been several. So we naturally discussed the methods of getting one’s tongue disconnected from the pole, of course, mentioning hot water.
This year our family is embarking on an adventure together in which we are all using the devotional “Jesus Lives” by Sarah Young and each day we share about it together through email. The devotional had one line that seemed to stand out to me yesterday morning …..
“As we venture out together, cling tightly to My hand.” (page 17).
And then the Scripture ….
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:8)
I began to question inside myself, “Do I cling to Him, at all times, every time, in every way?” Better yet, “What does He mean when He instructs me to cling to Him?”
Funny word that word cling — “to stick to, to adhere to” (in the noun form, it is used for glue). In the abstract, it has the idea of devotion, loyalty” (taken from Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary).
Quite simply, to cling means to stick to something like glue. And as I cling to God, stuck or adhered to Him as if by glue, unable to come apart – well- a funny thing happens. He upholds me. He holds me up. I do my part and He does His.
When you feel like you are floundering, get the image of the kid with his tongue stuck to the flag pole into your head.
In one of the recent cases, it was reported after the girl was disengaged from the pole, her tongue was raw and swollen. The doctors are saying it could take up to six months for the swelling to be totally reduced. The point? Only cling to that which you should be permanently adhered. We are not meant to disengage from clinging to God. It will cause us pain and full recuperation may take some time.
Remember the way in which you are to cling to God.
And then remember ….
He is faithfully upholding you by His right hand.
Cling to God.
I am joining with …. Three Word Wed. and Tell His Story and Wordless Wed. and Wed. Prayer Girls and Wordless Wed. and Wedded Wed. and A Little R & R and Winsome Wed. and Works For Me and Imperfect Prose and Words of Life and Whimsical Wed. .
Yes, to cling and be held. Thanks for your images. Visiting from Jennifer’s place.
Thank you for stopping here today. May we hold onto that image of clinging and being held at the same time. Blessings!
Ha! Great analogy, albeit painful to think about – but it should be that way. Thanks for the reminder. Clinging.
beautiful. I am needing scripture this morning..having a low day in my grieving process š
http://www.homeofohm.com/2014/01/wordlesswednesday-apps-for-cats.html
Sorry that you are having a low day. May God bring you the comfort you need!
Joanne,
Love how you reminded us to cling to God, because to cling to anything else will be painful…so grateful God holds onto us š
I am so grateful that it is a mutual action – He holds onto me as I hold onto Him.
I read that verse on Monday. Love that when we cling to Him, His right hand holds us. In His sovereignty He keeps us clinging.
Thank you for the imagery and word study.
A delight to have you link up! Thank you!!
A pleasure to join in. May He bless & grow your community!
great reminder – I’m clinging now, clinging always
Best action we can do!
Beautiful! Well said and great reminder!
Thank you so much for stopping here today.
Cling to God! Amen. I love those three words. You made me smile all through this post. Coming here is always so delightful. And I finally sent you my email!
Love, Love, Love that your family is reading through the devotional together and sharing by email, etc. That is SUPER cool. š
Love you.
Beth – I received your email. I will get back to you soon! It is exciting to be reading through the devotional with my family. Anticipating all that God will do through His Word in our lives. I hope you are getting a break in weather today.
What a great reminder of what (or who) I should cling to. It should feel as painful when we allow other things to tear us away from God as it does when those silly children have their tongues pulled off of the pole.
May we always cling to Him & spare ourselves the pain of separation! Have a great weekend!
I confess. My hand is raised. I did it. I stuck my tongue to a pole. Well, to the merry-go-round, to be precise. (I was eight years old.)
Great analogy, Joanne. There are just some things that we weren’t meant to be “stuck” to. š
Oh no!! But thanks for sharing that with me. Now I can say that I know someone who has done this š May we always be stuck to Him!