HOLD ME, JESUS: HOLD ME, DADDY! HOLD ME, MOMMY!

Hold me, Daddy! Hold me, Mommy! Can I tell you how much I love those words?!?!!! There's something even more special about them since our kids have grown up and we don't hear them as often. When I think of our theme song: "Hold Me, Jesus", I am confident that Jesus feels the same way as this Mommy when one of us says those words. The "hold me" factor is a needed part of a healthy parent/child relationship. It is a healthy part of the Jesus/me relationship.
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This fall our youngest daughter went off to a different college than she had previously attended. Over the years our "baby", Crystal, experienced being held - ALOT! One day a few months ago, she called and just wanted to talk. She told me about a new friend in her dorm who she was spending a lot of time with. This young lady had lost both of her parents in a motorcycle accident in May. She was having a very hard time. Crystal wanted to know how best she could minister to her friend. Crystal said, "Mom, she doesn't even have a dad or mom anymore who she can just sit on their laps and be held or rocked." Sobering words!
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Yet, just as sobering were the conversations I had later with a friend. I shared with her Crystal's words. My friend didn't say much, but the next time we were together she said, "Patti, I had a hard time with what you told me because as I looked back at my life I couldn't remember being able to just go climb up in my parents laps and be held...your kids are so blessed! I want to do that for my kids."
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Here is Crystal, this semester, with two of her new friends.

Crystal got home from college late Saturday night. I am so thankful for this 21 year old daughter of ours. I see how God is transforming her into His image! We have hugged, held each other, given back rubs and just enjoyed each others company.

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My friend, hold your children. Let them crawl up on your lap...they don't have to outgrow it! The outstretched arms of a parent really let a child see the possibilities for Jesus having outstretched arms. When Crystal was in first grade, her teacher took a picture of each student with his/her arms outstretched and then they wrote a caption down at the bottom saying, "I love you this much!" Each year since, Crystal has continued that tradition on Father's Day for her daddy. He now has many "I love you this much" Crystal pictures.
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Thank you, Crystal for teaching me so much about loving others. Thank you for teaching me more about Jesus. Please know that at anytime you can say, "Hold me, Jesus!" After all, He knows about outstretched arms. He stretched out His arms as far as they would go and then He died for you and me.

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Here Steve is holding Crystal

as we attempt a family picture

with our FAMILY T-SHIRTS.

Big brother, Jordan, holds Crystal

in place for the sibling/kitties picture.

Steve holds Crystal on a train ride at the Lincoln, NE zoo.

Steve holds Crystal on a return visit

to the state line where Steve was raised.

Mommy holds Crystal as we share our fast food.

Crystal still gets held and hugged by her

Daddy and her Mommy!

A few good friends.

A suite mate!

Roomies!
Here is Crystal holding a young boy

with special needs who

she worked with for over a year.

She loves to connect with children

and they know that she loves and cares for them.

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Thank you, Crystal

for shining your life before others

so that they can be more open to Jesus' outstretched arms.

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Hold me, Jesus!

You are My Prince of Peace!

You are my Deliverer!

You are my Redeemer!

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