My 2 year old granddaughter, Mackenzie, was having a tough time the other morning. I was due to take her to daycare (which has happened numerous times before and never been a problem). But this day her strong little arms were wrapped ferociously around her mama’s neck. No way on earth she wanted to let go! No way she wanted to get into the car with me. She was crying and clinging hard enough to break any mama’s heart.
Eventually, we were able to calm Mackenzie down and coax her into the car so I was able to take her where she needed to go.
This episode caused me to reflect. Mackenzie’s little world was about to change in a couple of very significant ways – she was going to be moving to a new house with her parents and her brother in a month’s time. Nothing around home was the same anymore — boxes everywhere, familiar things packed away, all the inevitable and chaotic things that happen in a household preparing for a move. Also, Mackenzie’s mama is expecting baby number three in a few months. While Mackenzie is excited about this, she also knows (at a level that 2-year-olds know these things) that her life will shift in a huge way once her baby sister makes an appearance.
And so she clings to mama. No wonder! She needs to be held, safe and close, by her dependable mom in her rapidly changing world.
The expression “to cling” means to stick to as if glued. To hold or hold on tightly. To stick onto or resolutely hold something or someone closely.
At that moment the other morning, Mackenzie’s comfort and security came from clinging tightly — being “glued” — to her mama.
My precious granddaughter’s behavior caused me to ask myself: “What do I cling to? ” When life around me becomes unpredictable, confusing, or scary, where do I go for comfort and security? What or who do I cling to? What about you? No matter how old or independent we think we are or try to be, we all cling to something or someone.
Most of us outgrow the habit of clinging to our parents. As we get older, we find replacement sources of comfort, security, and acceptance. We may turn to friends, a spouse, children, our career, maybe our possessions, sports, drugs, alcohol, or our bank account. You can add to the list.
But there’s a problem. All these things are temporary and fleeting. Eventually they will disappoint us, because ultimately, in themselves, they can never fully satisfy or sustain us. People in our lives, no matter who they are or how much love we share, will sooner or later let us down. And things can quickly become our master instead of the other way around.
Like you, I’ve clung to my share of people and things over the years. But I’ve learned beyond a doubt that there is something I can cling to that I will never outgrow, be damaged by, or be disappointed by — and that is my relationship with God, and His love.
Hanging on to God is as necessary for me as an anchor is needed by a ship in a storm. To let go would be disastrous. I would drift with every wind and current. I could be smashed on the rocks, or run aground and broken to pieces.
An anchored soul is aware of the instability that life brings, and it chooses to be dependent on the only safe, secure, and eternal source of life and love — Jesus.
A “spiritual anchor” helps keep me grounded, connected to Who matters most, and able to cope with the challenges and changes that life inevitably throws my way.
I will never ever ever outgrow my constant dependence on God — no matter how physically old I am , no matter my experience in life, my wisdom or knowledge, or my supposed spiritual maturity. Jesus bids us all to come to Him like a little child. So like a trusting child, in great need, I will fiercely cling to my heavenly Father. I want to be glued to Him every day!
Thanks for the important reminder and life lesson, Mackenzie!
