who {or what} are you clinging to?

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.
Matthew 10:39 {NLT}


I don’t have a photo to post with these words, so before I get to the gist of my post, I’d like to paint a photo in your mind …

It’s the wee hours of the morning, just before dawn when I’m savoring those last minutes of much-needed treasured sleep {I usually wake around 5:00am} and I hear “mama?”  It’s Hunter.  I reach over and pull her into my bed.  CJ’s already up and gone, so there’s plenty of room for me and my four-year-old bundle of preciousness.  As I cozy her in next to me, she grabs my hand and clings to it something fierce.

At this point, my mind is reeling and I’m wide awake.  But before I slip out of bed to start my day, I’ll wait til she’s sleeping soundly.  As I’m laying there, looking at her through the early morning darkness, breathing in every ounce of preciousness … watching and feeling her cling to my hand in a completely desperate manner … I feel her small body finally give way to sleep.

It just got me to thinking … who or what do I cling to? Or how ’bout you … what are you clinging to?

This world can be ugly.  Just plain ugly.  In fact, I’m dealin’ with some ugly of my own right now … as are many around me.

But as for me … I’m clinging to the Cross.  I’m clinging to God’s Word.  I’m clinging to His Promise.  Honestly … I’m not sure at this point what I would do without those things.

I think of the “things” the world has to offer … empty happiness, empty promises … nothing of substance.  I keep picturing trying to put my arms around a cartoon ghost and having it disappear into a poof as I grab it closer.

I am forever thankful that the things I’m clinging to are made of Eternity … not the here and now.

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257 Comments

  1. Nancy February 21, 2011 at 9:03 am

    You have an AMAZING GIFT of always posting just what I need to hear. You’re awesome! Thanks for sharing what’s in your heart. I’ve said it before… you have no idea how many people you touch in such a positive way!! THANK YOU!

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  2. Brad February 21, 2011 at 4:14 pm

    As always, I walk away after reading one of your posts, inspired and happy. Keep up the awesome work! You are doing an excellent job.

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  3. Aubree Seaman February 21, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    I have to remind myself of this daily as sometimes the ugliness of the World has me “wanting” those things that bring empty happiness. Beautiful post Traci!

    God bless,

    Aubree

    Reply
  4. katherinemarie February 22, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    I’ve got chills reading your words… thank you for sharing your amazing faith! It is always just what I need. :)

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    xoxoxo

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    what an great picture of hugging a cartoon ghost to remind us of what the things of this world are! So glad I have found your blog! Thanks for sharing your wisdom! It blesses me! I wish that we never had to deal with the uglies- but I guess that would mean we where in heaven.

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