Dad's broad shoulder cradled her small head as her long fair hair was scattered over his coat. Sometimes the eyes were open, sometime closed. Maybe in contemplation of the security this man gave to her life, it was OK to suck her thumb and let the world pass by. She was his youngest and at the age of five, still the baby in the family. Oblivious of the world around her, she cuddled securely and allowed the world to pass on.
Why was I so attracted to this beautiful presentation in front of me when I should have been paying attention to the preacher that morning? But there was something sacred in the picture this little one presented. Isn't that security what each child is entitled to? Isn't that security what each of us really craves? And isn't that security the medicine that would cure so many people's frustration and anxiety? So my attention remained on that little girl curled up on her father's lap.
It might have been me. A desire for just that security which ought to have existed. But it never did. There was a war on. It was difficult to find food and it was difficult having the enemy up and down the street. There was no time to sit and comfort a four year old. There were already four other siblings, the youngest only months old. Instead of cuddles and comfort, there was the oft repeated story of visitors being surprised to see two four year olds standing on chairs at the kitchen sink; one washing and one drying the family dishes. And what did that do to the mental development of pre-schoolers without any cuddles?
And here was the picture of what might have been if circumstances had been different. I was captivated and totally absorbed in the Pieta presented in front of me. But it wasn't without meaning.
In the scheme of things, we really are all just little children being looked after by an Almighty and Eternal God. No, not some spiritual entity that poses as a police officer to see when we do right and / or wrong. No, a God who tells us that he is our Father and that he cares for us. What a revelation when we eventually receive it and change direction. The little four year old is still on the old road but the person who has grown up and learned the truth now has a Father who allows his children to sit on his lap and cuddle up to his shoulder and feel secure knowing that Father has all needs under control.
What a revelation. What a gift. What a release. What security.
Why was I so attracted to this beautiful presentation in front of me when I should have been paying attention to the preacher that morning? But there was something sacred in the picture this little one presented. Isn't that security what each child is entitled to? Isn't that security what each of us really craves? And isn't that security the medicine that would cure so many people's frustration and anxiety? So my attention remained on that little girl curled up on her father's lap.
It might have been me. A desire for just that security which ought to have existed. But it never did. There was a war on. It was difficult to find food and it was difficult having the enemy up and down the street. There was no time to sit and comfort a four year old. There were already four other siblings, the youngest only months old. Instead of cuddles and comfort, there was the oft repeated story of visitors being surprised to see two four year olds standing on chairs at the kitchen sink; one washing and one drying the family dishes. And what did that do to the mental development of pre-schoolers without any cuddles?
And here was the picture of what might have been if circumstances had been different. I was captivated and totally absorbed in the Pieta presented in front of me. But it wasn't without meaning.
In the scheme of things, we really are all just little children being looked after by an Almighty and Eternal God. No, not some spiritual entity that poses as a police officer to see when we do right and / or wrong. No, a God who tells us that he is our Father and that he cares for us. What a revelation when we eventually receive it and change direction. The little four year old is still on the old road but the person who has grown up and learned the truth now has a Father who allows his children to sit on his lap and cuddle up to his shoulder and feel secure knowing that Father has all needs under control.
What a revelation. What a gift. What a release. What security.
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