and he got up and came to his father.

But while he was still a long way off,

his father saw him, and felt compassion for him,

and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

Luke 15:20

Bill and I were in the kitchen, fixing lunch together, and he was totally unaware of the huge red flag I was waving that was trying to tell him, “My emotions are going wild!” (They will do that, agree girls?) I went over to him, had him take everything out of his hands and said, “I need a hug.” With his strong arms around me I feel secure. I’m as close as I can get and I feel his strength, his love, his understanding, and his being with me as I deal with those silly, undulating emotions.

“I get as close to Him as I can” (Psalm 73:28(a) TLB)

“But, Anabel, how do you get that close to the Lord? How can you be that familiar with Him? Having Him hug me? That sounds too intimate.”

Philippians 4:19 tells us that He will meet ALL our needs. You are probably like I was when I thought about my “needs.” That meant clothing, shelter, comfort, food, healing, etc. But I have all of those things and I gratefully praise Him for giving them to me. However, I am still very needy and the scripture says, ALL MY NEEDS.

Is the unmarried woman incomplete? No. Who completes her?[1]Is the widow to endure loneliness and isolation and loss of direction for the rest of her life? No. Who is always with her and “gives her counsel in the night?”[2] Is the woman who is unhappily married to never know the joy of sharing her life with a loving companion? No. She has Someone holding her hand–going with her wherever she goes.

How about the loneliness I feel in my heart for companionship? How about my yearning for someone to know how badly I hurt–and to care? How about my need to be loved and appreciated? My need to be accepted and cherished? That need to be fulfilled, to be needed? Is He impotent to meet those needs? No, no, no! He says, “Anabel, live within My love. Abide in My love. Rest in My love.”[3]

Luke 15 is often labeled the story of “the prodigal son.” But it is really the story of a loving father and it is meant to tell us about our Father. He watched night and day for his beloved son to come home and one day as he was out on the porch watching and waiting, he saw someone walking toward the house. He immediately recognized his son and ran to meet him, embracing him and kissing him. That is our relationship with our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

How can this overwhelming love be yours? Practice. “Practice makes perfect” holds true in nearly everything, and it certainly holds true in my being close to God/Jesus. Romans 12:2 tells us to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” That means mind-control. It’s that simple. And I CAN control my mind. It isn’t always easy, but it is always possible. He wouldn’t tell us, “Set your mind . . .” He wouldn’t say, “Think on these things . . .” if we could not do it!

So, think about His holding your hand. “It is I, the Lord God, who is holding your hand” (Isaiah 41:13). Only as you do that over and over and over again will you realize that there is Someone with you–holding your hand–all the time.

Think about His constant presence around you: “Don’t be afraid, for the Lord will go before you and will be with you; He will not fail nor forsake you.” See yourself with Him–always. Practice His presence.

He wipes every tear from our eyes and has them all bottled up! [4] Imagine that! Does that give you any idea of just how much He cares for you and what hurts you?

“I will give you rest.” Oh, how we need that! How do you get it? You can rest while you’re physically active, because you see it is done in your mind. You accept it as truth. You live it! You “renew” your mind by putting in the thoughts that He has given us.

I get as close to Him as I can–He is always with me. More than that, He is living inside of me. You talk about intimate! Intimate–meaning: 1) most private or personal 2) very close or familiar 3) deep and thorough. Nothing happens in my life that He is not acutely aware of. Nothing comes into my thought-life that He does not sense. Close? That’s pretty close! Now all I have to do is believe it and start walking in it as truth. Imagine it. See it. Believe it! Experience it!

Our God is omnipotent. Remember that.[5]

[1] Colossians 2:10: and in Him you have been made complete …

[2] Psalm 16:7: He gives me wisdom in the night. He tells me what to do (TLB).

[3] These words apply to the male just as surely. You have all you need when you have Jesus Christ. Colossians 6:10: So you have everything when you have Christ, and are filled with God through you union with Christ (TLB).

[4] Psalm 56:8

[5] We have a booklet, Faithful…Forever, that teaches you about your close relationship to Christ. Call 1-888- 395-5433 to order.