The Father’s Embrace
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, she may forget, yet I will not forget you. — Isaiah 49:15
He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. — Luke 15:20
Author
Milagros García Klibansky
Summary: A childhood of daily conflict brought my adolescent pain to the surface in tears. When our strength runs out, we can look to the cross and take refuge in God’s ever-open arms. He welcomes us even when we are wounded, cleanses us, and protects us as we remain in his embrace; so we must cling to him in every circumstance. Even when we do not feel his nearness, he remains by our side without forcing himself upon us. Our past does not prevent him from welcoming us. We need not live burdened by guilt: each time we return broken and repentant, he receives and restores us.
Every day as evening fell, we died a little. The sound of the gate warned us; the smell of alcohol reached us before he did, and my mother, who had no restraint, lashed out at him with insults and blows. An entire childhood immersed in daily strife, until one day... It was the day my adolescent soul cried out, “Enough! I can’t take any more!” And my pain erupted in tears.
Have you ever felt that way? Have you been standing on the outside while falling apart on the inside? Have you ever heard your soul cry out in pain? If you have felt this, you have hit rock bottom, your strength has run out, and you can barely get up to go on…
But haven’t you noticed? Before you are arms held open forever, waiting for you to take refuge in them. You only have to look at the cross. Those arms will receive you dirty, bleeding, foul-smelling, covered in festering sores, and with a love beyond compare they will embrace you, wash you, heal your wounds, clothe you in clean garments of the finest brand, and protect you as long as you remain within the embrace. If you move away, you will no longer be inside that circle of protection. That is why we must cling to Him and not let go, whatever our circumstances.
When we do not feel His presence, it is not because of Him; it is our own perception, without any basis in reality. He is always by our side, but He respects us and does not impose Himself. He allows us to explore experiences that are sometimes dangerous so that we may realize that safety is found only at His side.
Your past life does not matter to Him: resentments, doubts, betrayals, anguish, shattered lives, divorces, criminal acts—all fade away in His presence.
Do not blame yourself; He does not. He will welcome you back each time you come to Him broken and repentant. He will put His ring on your finger, clothe you in clean garments, and say to His angels: “This son of mine was dead, and has come back to life; he was lost, and is found.”