The first time I saw the Pacific Ocean, I sat on the edge of my seat. Peering out the car window, I saw the twin steeples of the Golden Gate Bridge, with a vast expanse of blue on the other side.
For years my dad had brought my older brothers to San Francisco to see a 49er football game, and my brothers said they could see the ocean when they crossed a giant bridge. So every year I begged Dad to let me go with them to a football game, but what I really wanted to see was the ocean.
When Dad finally agreed to let me tag along, he gave me a ticket. Then he pushed up my long sleeve, and with a black permanent marker he wrote three numbers on the inside of my arm, from my elbow to my wrist. Each number on my arm corresponded with the section-row-seat where we would sit in the stadium.
Dad said, “If we ever get separated, you don’t have to worry. There are ushers at every entrance. All you have to do is show one of them the numbers on your arm, and they’ll bring you back to where your brothers and I are sitting.”
The thought hadn’t occurred to me that I could get lost at a football game. I just wanted to see the ocean, but something about those numbers on my arm reassured me. They were like a secret code that would help me find my way back to my father if I got lost.
The image of those numbers on my arm has stayed with me.
There have been times in my life when I felt lost, unsure of which way to turn. Whether it was an unhealthy relationship I didn’t know how to get out of or a job that was draining the life out of me, I felt adrift, like a ship without a rudder, unable to navigate its way back home.
During those seasons, I’d often think of the numbers my dad once wrote on my arm and wish I had something like that as an adult. Something that would point me in the right direction, something that would show me the way home. To a place that felt safe. To a place where I knew I belonged.
Sometimes the thing we long for most has been right in front of us the whole time. And there on my desk lay my Bible, underneath some other books and papers, and some junk mail too.
Sometimes the only thing left to do is the one thing I should have been doing all along — reading the pages of Truth and asking God to show me the way.
So I did. And it’s not like the heavens parted and clear-cut directions were written in the sky or anything. But with each story in the Bible I read, with each psalm I prayed, with each verse I memorized, I felt a growing desire to be closer to Him. And I knew one thing to be true: When I’m closer to God, I’m closer to home.
Without fail, when I turn to God and invest time in His Word, He meets me there. Every time. When I read the words on the onion-thin pages, it’s like they were written for me, and in a way, they were. They were written for you too.
This Book is unlike any other. The words are alive, actively showing us the path to take. And when I gather with girlfriends to learn more about God through His Word, He shows up. Sometimes in the most unexpected ways.
Just as those numbers on my arm could guide me back to my father, the Word can guide us back to our Father. When we’re feeling lost and adrift, the Word leads us to our Father’s heart and guides us safely home.
***
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Denise,
How comforting to have those numbers written on your arm. I know I used to be intimidated by reading the Word of God, but then I think about how Jesus was/is the Word made flesh. When I wondered what was in the Word, I’d look at the person of Jesus and how He lived his life. He lived a life of love for others. He healed. He showed tenderness and compassion. He forgave others. He instructed. He bid people to “come” and to “not fear”. He fulfilled the ultimate act of grace and mercy….He gave His life for our sins so we could live with Him in paradise forever. Yes the Bible issues warnings, but it’s not the Big Book of Don’ts that I thought it was. Even those warnings are for our well-being.
With that as my backdrop, the Word no longer intimidates me. The Word is Jesus. Like Him, God’s Word loves, encourages, heals, instructs, offers forgiveness and direction, bids me to “come” and not “to fear”. It offers up mercy and grace and speaks to me with a passion like no other book. It is God’s, Jesus’ love letter to me…to all of us.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder that if we are ever lost, His Word will lead us home.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Keeley says
Thank you for these words today. I am feeling lost, burnt out with everyone’s expectations of me. I need to find my way home to my Father.
Alice says
Keeley, It seems you taken the first step in finding your way. I’ll keep you in my prayers. Be at peace 🙂
Augusta says
Praying for you Keeley
Jennifer Frisbie says
I love the analogy here, Denise. What a beautiful story! I can’t wait to draw closer to home as we read James together. <3
Lynn D. Morrissey says
Denise, I really appreciate this post in so many ways. For one, it shows how much your father cared about you to assure you that he would never allow you to get lost. And isn’t that what our Father does for us? We’d never search for Him on our own, but He finds us, awakens us to His love, gives us faith to believe in His Son, and then saves us to be united with Him forever. He assures us that we can never get lost again. And then He gives us His beautiful, holy Word as a way to assure of us His love all over again . . . and yes, it always leads us home. You could even think of favorite bible verse references as those “numbers” like your father gave you, and the verses of Scripture as truth He writes on the tablets of our heart to bring comfort, correction, joy, and direction–all we will need for this life (and leading us to the next). I so appreciate all you do here for women at Deeper Waters and through your Word Writers Bible studies to lead us to the home of God’s heart!
Love
Lynn
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
I echo your thoughts about Deep Waters and Word Writers….Amen!
Bev xx
Susan M says
Awesome post!! This is EXACTLY what I needed to be reminded of today…
Sarah says
And yes, we do have someone like those numbers – the Holy Spirit; God’s seal of ownership He’s put on us (Ephesians 1:13-14).
NJ says
Dear Denise,
WONDERFUL!!!
Thank you!!!
NJ
Brenda says
What a patient God He is. Always prepared to direct, just waiting for us to get in His word and listen. The mystery that is the living scripture is one I’ll never tire of. So blessed to be one of His own. And, instead of writing on an arm, the writing’s on His palms. — He’s a “good, good Father.”
Shelia says
Father, give me the desire to read your word and draw closer to you. I long for a relationship that will help me through the hard days that I’ve been struggling with. Show me your way. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Thank you for your words. I’ve been trying to find a way through the depression and anxiety.
Beth Williams says
Sheila,
Praying for God to show you the way out of your depression. May He bring a calming peace to your heart, soul and mind. I pray you can start reading just the Psalms. There is a calm, peace in those words.
(((((Hugs)))))
Arica says
Sheila,
I’ve recently found my way out of depression and anxiety and what I want to say is relax. He has you! Keep meditating on His Word. I found Psalms 23 to be my go to for comfort. For months it was the only one I read and He spoke to me in so many different ways in that one passage. In all of my struggle, I came out knowing more of how deep His love is for me and how much his grace is sufficient for my struggles/failures. As you cry out to him, ask for your eyes and heart to see the small blessings in the everyday. It will help lift the darkness.
Much love and healing to you. I know the struggle is real but so is the victory.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Shelia,
I know this is not the case for everyone, but I needed medicine to bring me out of the pit of anxiety and depression…then I was able to read His Word and experience the blessing God intended for me. I know for everyone it’s different…I will pray for a way out of the pit….Our God is able!
Blessings and ((hugs)),
Bev
Beth Williams says
Denise,
All have lost and have gone astray. We all need to find our way home. God is just patiently waiting for us to come to Him. He is wooing us back home with arms open wide. Doesn’t matter what pigsty you’ve been in-just look up and come home. He will come running back to you. Simply ask for forgiveness for where & when you’ve sinned and He will forgive and forget.
Reading the Bible can be intimidating. Just start by reading the Gospels and Psalms. They will give you comfort and help you. Years ago my mom was ill and bedridden for two years. During that time my dad would read the Gospels and Psalms. After reading them for a while he talked with my pastor and decided he needed to be re baptized. It is never to late to come home. He will always lead you there.
Blessings 🙂
Jayne Smith says
Isn’t beyond wonderful that we have direct access through God’s holy Word, not only in print, but in our hearts through his Holy Spirit. It is all those together that work in perfect harmony to guide us.
MJane says
Beautifully put. I love the picture that you drew using the numbers written on your arm. To know that God was going to use that—back when you were a child,to share today. Our God is an awesome God and we are so blessed, most often when we are unaware. Thank you for this lovely post.
Michele Morin says
Wow, Denise, this is a hugely visual image, and it calls forth the matching image of our names written large on the palm of God’s hand. We are just SO His!
Alice says
Beautiful and thought provoking reminder! Thank you!
Beth says
OK so this made me smile. Lately I have been in a Spiritual battle as I was born again 2 years ago, and I am loud and happy to tell everyone how I cried out Jesus from a very dark place and he took me right into his arms. The problem is some deep hurts and feelings of not being worthy, wanted, loved have been haunting me the last few months.! So as I have been in this battle I put a scripture reference on my wrist in the morning and as I see it through the day I work on memorizing it. Right now it says Isaiah 12:2.
He Loves Me and I just need these little reminders literally right on my arm every day!
Be Blessed!
Stephanie says
Thank you for sharing Denise! Your words came at just the right time. I have been neglecting my bible time/ time with God recently and I really needed this encouragement! Blessings and love always ! Xoxo ❤
Rebecca L Jones says
John 3:16, and so many more. Now we can keep our numbers in our head and heart. God won’t lose us, He’s a good Father, the best Father! I love you story.
Abby McDonald says
Denise, I love this analogy so much. It was just what I needed to be reminded of today. He’s always there waiting, never far off. As much as I know this is be true, how often I need reminding. Thank you for this. God bless.
LisaT says
I love this post .Thanks for sharing Denise! God’s Word is that lighthouse for us which always paves the way and safely guides so we are always going in the right direction. He is so good 🙂
Mattias says
The kingdom of God is within so the way home is the way within.