Just to be Close to You

I’m fortunate to live here in Austin now where I can have sweet, quality time with my two youngest grandsons. They have left Nana’s nest – no longer my two hyper little guys that gave me a work-out when I took care of them. But, I still get the sweet cuddles when I’m with them. I treasure that sweet love. They still want to be close to me!

But when they were younger – Lord, have mercy! I was the Nana-in-charge because Mom and Dad were away. At nightime, to get two very frisky, full-of-life boys to power down, I had to come up with strategic plans-of-action. Pillow fights, jumping on the bed like it was a trampoline, and incessant requests for water or some other vice they needed, paled in comparison to Nana’s “Super Brennan and Super Bryson” stories. That was my brilliant strategy – “If you don’t calm down, there will be no Super Brennan/Super Bryson story tonight.” It worked every time. I’d like to think they went right to sleep afterwards, but my Strategy #2 was to squeeze right between them in bed (great way to build a wall to keep them away from each other). Once they were down and out, I’d carefully maneuver my way out to get to my bed. Victory!!!

BTW – Super Brennan and Super Bryson stories were about two boys who had superpowers because of their super backpacks that ALWAYS had the tools needed to help save the day for animals or people in distress! They haven’t asked for those stories for a long time now. But, back in the day, they always made room for Nana. You know that I ate it up. They wanted me close, and I wanted to be close to them!

I remember, with my own children and grands, getting so close to them all when they had a bad dream, weren’t feeling well, or were just simply restless and couldn’t sleep. My presence gave them comfort.

And, like those precious little ones, I often find myself in life situations that feel like a bad dream. I might be uncomfortable or even in physical pain. Then, I recall “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth”. (Psalm 145:18) And, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”. (Psalm 46:1)
I’d like to tell you my first response is to call on Him, but I must admit the many times I settle for the tossing and turning and letting crazy thoughts bombard my peace. I know what to do. I simply need to reach out for His presence that is available to me — any time and anywhere. I love that my grandsons wanted me close, and even that they were willing to make room for me to do so. They’d calm down because of my presence. And, even more so, our Lord wants us to make room for Him. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8).

I’ve come to realize making room for God by welcoming Him into the moments of my day is the most important thing I can do to stay calm, peaceful, and out of stress. I create space in my day to talk to Him and read His Word. Like with my grandchildren, I know God strategically uses His ways to get me settled down. He continually beckons me to sit still, to move over, to listen to HIS stories. It works every time. Pardon me, as I scoot over and make room for Him to cozy up to me right now. His presence makes such a difference.