I surrender all

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red, yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Indeed He does love them. I love them too. Not to be all sentimental, boastful or gushy but a mother’s love is quite unique. There are so many layers. There’s the firm but patient love. The tough love. Protective love. Playful love. Encouraging love. Heart melted in a puddle love. I have experienced them all with my children as I’m sure every mother has or will. God too, has so many layers of love. There are times when He must discipline. Times when He is patient and also times when He delights in blessing us. My children are one of His greatest blessings to me.

I’m being challenged though. Challenged with a formidable pressing on my heart that makes me gulp, quiver and quite frankly makes me want to be downright selfish. I’ve said in the past that my children belong to the Lord. But I’m realizing that saying and doing are two very distinct things. My protective lioness mother instinct wants to hold on to them and protect them. Nothing vile must come near! Yet, there is this undeniable tugging at my heart that is reminding me that God can do better than I. If we are far out in the jungle, I cannot protect them from every danger, but God can if He chooses to. He can protect them from disease. He can protect them from spiritual warfare. I cannot. I am learning that I MUST give them over to God.

Otto Koning told a story that went something like this. There was a man and his family that felt called to the mission field, but he was so worried for his family’s safety and health that he didn’t pursue the Lord’s calling. One day at their home in the USA two of his boys were playing under the house and both got bitten by a rattle snake. He quickly put both boys in his truck and was in such a hurry to get to the hospital that he didnt see his third son behind the truck and ran over him, he went on oblivious. His wife, watching from the window ran out to the driveway and seeing the third son dead, collapsed with a heart attack. The man arrived at the hospital but it was to late for the boys that were bitten. He lost his entire family in one day, because he was holding onto his family too tightly.

The story is quite morbid and I hesitated sharing it, but I think it is such a good reminder. Our families, our husbands, wives, children, are all blessings from the Lord. He has the ultimate power to bless and the power to take away. Like I said before, my instinct is to protect and hold tightly. Lord, help me to surrender.

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live
All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldy pleasures all forshaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now,

“I surrender all.”