Yesterday, my little grandson, Zachary, was having trouble settling down for a nap. The chaos of his brother and cousins running through my house didn’t help any. I walked with him for a bit but then lay down on the couch and held Zachary tightly against my chest…heart to heart…. Finally, I felt his tiny body relax. The rhythm of my heart-beat, coupled with my secure hold, lulled him to sleep.

I’m a lot like baby Zachary. I have moments when the distractions of my life leave me feeling agitated and anxious. So many thoughts. So many worries. So little peace. I need someone to quiet my heart.

The prophet, Zephaniah, wrote, “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). I memorized this verse shortly before facing a double mastectomy due to cancer. I remember whispering it in my mind as they wheeled me into the operating room and silently, praying, “Lord, I’m scared. Would You hold me against Your chest and quiet me with Your love? Would you sing over me as the surgeons cut?“

As you face a new week, you might have a million things on your mind and thousands on your to-do list. Take a moment. Breathe. Read, Zephaniah 3:17. Read it over a couple of times. Pray, “Lord God, I praise You! You are with me. Thank You that You are not annoyed with me. Instead, you delight in me! Would you cradle my heart this week? Quiet me with your love. Help me in the insane moments of life, when I feel overwhelmed, to crawl up on your chest and to listen for the rhythm of your heart-beat.”

It might be helpful to listen to “Everlasting Father” by Elevation Worship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CuSWj8gstw&noredirect=1

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