FJWL_01:420
         My child, I'm calling you. I'm calling you to Me, to My side, to My bosom. Come lie with Me. Rest your head and give Me your cares and your burdens, your heavy loads. For I would not have you carry these loads needlessly, or they will simply weigh you down and hinder your running the rest of the race which is before you.
         These paths that you have walked down during these last few miles have been rough and rugged ones for you. In My eyes it has been a little hill, a little bump, a little rugged patch that you have gone over, that has caused you to stumble and lose your footing somewhat--such a small little patch, a little bump on the ground in comparison to the many miles over which you have already come, the mountains and valleys and steep climbs which you have already traversed. It's been just a small moment in time, but very real and painful, and very close to you now.
         Don't condemn yourself for tripping and falling, for not walking upright and standing strong and straight and tall over what was a very rough and bumpy road. It's nothing to be ashamed of. You will find no condemnation in My heart toward you, My child.
         Do you not think that I was aware of this crinkle in the road, of this stretch which you would come upon, which would be difficult for you, which you were not expecting, which seems to you to be a sore spot, an ugly spot, an ugly mark on the landscape of this past year? I know you don't fully understand, but rest assured that what is not known to you is known to Me. For I have used this to work My will in the lives of all My children who were involved.
         You see the matter from the emotions and feelings of failure of your own heart, but I see a much bigger picture. I see many hearts that were broken and drawn closer to Me in greater desperation and dependency and need. This has been My design, for I see you coming to Me now, as you have many times when you were at wits' end, not knowing what to do or how to respond in this difficult situation.
         You came to Me, and I was always there with open arms, desiring you to come and to rest even more fully and completely with Me. For I have comfort to give that you know not of, and succor, strength, love and understanding. All is yours as you run to lie with Me during your times of need. All this I would give to you now as you give all your problems to Me in faith and trust. No burden is too great, and no feeling of failure too big or complex for Me to lift in one moment. As you hear My voice calling you once again to come, leave it all behind. Just set it down right where you are and come lie in My arms.
         I have used this rocky patch of ground over which you have walked, over which I have brought you, to draw you close to Me. For if the going were straight and clear and steady, then you would not have fallen to the ground in a heap, disoriented and uncertain how to proceed, so that I could lift you and draw you to Myself as you reached up for My help. So I now lift you over this bumpy patch. I lift you up and over, and I take the giant step out of it while you lay serenely in My arms with your head next to Mine.
         Let Me lift you away from the confusion and the guilt, the condemnation, the worries about your own failures, your own weaknesses, what you feel is your own weakness of character and inability to stand up for Me. Let Me lift you away from this, My child. Turn your back on it and look full in My face. Rest fully in My arms, and there you will find the reflection of the love and peace which I give unto you. And here in My arms you will see again, as you come with nothing in your hands--none of your own goodness, abilities, strength and righteousness--that I will fill you and be all these things unto you.
         As you look back over your shoulder to those whom you have traveled with during these rough times, think of them not as those with whom you fell in a heap together. But think of them as likewise lying in My arms, learning, finding rest from their labors and battles and struggles, and coming to know and experience again how I can be their all in all. For you are each My bride, and even in the midst of such a tremendous harvest field and your labors for Me to reach and reap the many hearts which are crying out for Me, I have drawn you to Myself so that you might know My peace and comfort and love through your tears.
         Know that I will always carry you, My son, My love, My dear bride. I take you up so that we can continue to traverse this great journey ahead together. I know that you will keep your hand in Mine, that we'll walk side-by-side, that we'll continue to have sweet communion and discussions together. The path upon which we walk will not always be smooth and easy and straight. But as the rough times come, as the bumps and difficulties in the road appear, as you stop and look up to Me with entreating and trustful eyes and heart, as you stop and lift up your arms and ask Me to take you up, I will do so. As you shake your head and say, "My Father, my Love, my dear Jesus, I know I cannot walk this rugged patch alone. I know You always hold my hand, but please take me up into Your arms for this stretch, for You know the road much better than I, and I trust You to carry me through," I will do so.
         As you lie in My arms with your head against My shoulder, your heart beating next to Mine, you will find the strength, comfort and guidance of My strong arms. Though the path over which you travel at these times may be more difficult and rough, yet because of your closeness to Me and being face-to-face, so close that you can hear My voice and My whispers ever more clearly, you will come to even laugh with delight as you see these points in the road approaching. For they will not mean a time of stumbling and falling, of anguish and struggles, but they will mean a time of drawing ever closer to Me, resting in My arms and letting Me carry you through.
         It's a wonderful road ahead, My child, for I love you and I will be your strength, your love, your joy, your tenderness, as you let Me pick you up and hold you to My bosom. This is My joy and My delight, and together we'll make it through. I love you greatly. Thank you for coming to Me.



Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family