Where is your resting place? In every home we purchase, I find that God gives me a spot where I can snuggle up and rest in His loving arms. Whether it is a favorite chair, a prayer room, or a place with the perfect view, for me it is the place where I am best able to enter into prayer. I know that my Heavenly Father is waiting there for me to meet with Him each day, so I go.

I must admit, that as a cradle Catholic, a prayer time at church, at the Adoration chapel, or assisting at Mass is my first choice for a Jesus encounter. It tops my favorite prayer place in my home, hands down.

In every church to which I have belonged, God seems to draw my attention to a meaningful stained-glass window. As I kneel down in prayer and gaze at the window, it begins to speak to me. In our new church, St. John the Evangelist in Viera, Florida, I have already found my window. This window is displayed about fifty feet in the air above the altar. It is in plain view for all to see, but to me, it is my window drawing me close to my Heavenly Daddy.

Why do I eye this particular one? To be honest, God drew my attention to it when I walked into the church for the first time. It has been my window ever since. As I examined this window a little closer, I realized that the artist has used this window to display a portrait of my Heavenly Father’s love. He has captured it in stained-glass beauty. This is the first church where I have seen this particular stained-glass window. Each time I prayerfully view the window, God reveals Himself to me in a deeper way.

As I gaze, I am reminded that the arms of the Heavenly Father are being extended out towards all of His children. He wants all to know how much He loves them. As I gaze upon the portrait in living color, my heart leaps. I want to run up to Him and never leave His arms. Like the prodigal son, we all desire to have the blessed assurance that no matter how far we stray, He will be there waiting for our return. With open arms, our Father will welcome us home. No matter how many times we fail Him, He will forgive us. No matter how many ways we disappoint Him, He will never leave us or forsake us. Would a mother forget the child of her womb? God is waiting to put those loving arms around each of us and assure us of His love. He loves us all best.

I do not know about you, but I want my heart to be so open to my Father’s love that I can reach out and hug Him and let Him hold me close. Our Father’s everlasting arms are so full of love that He is able to wrap His arms around the whole world and hug us all at the same time.

How about you? Do you need a heavenly hug? Go to your prayer spot and let the Heavenly Father wrap those everlasting arms of love around you. Let Him hold you close. He is waiting for you!

©Ellen Mongan