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                                                         "And 
                                                          He (Jesus) took the 
                                                          children INTO HIS ARMS, 
                                                          put His hands on them 
                                                          and blessed them. " 
                                                          (Mark 10:16) 
                                                        CUDDLE 
                                                          WITH THE LORD 
                                                        What 
                                                          is it about a child 
                                                          that brightens up a 
                                                          room, adds life to a 
                                                          checkout line, causes 
                                                          smiles and coochy coos 
                                                          and funny facial expressions 
                                                          when making eye contact. 
                                                          Voices rise 10 octaves 
                                                          with utterances like, 
                                                          "Aren't you just 
                                                          the cutest widdle baby," 
                                                          or "Hello baaabbbbyyyy, 
                                                          give us a smile, come 
                                                          on give us a smile...that's 
                                                          it!" 
                                                        We 
                                                          cuddle, coddle, snuggle, 
                                                          hug and embrace, we 
                                                          hold hands, and cover 
                                                          the shoulders of our 
                                                          little ones. We anticipate 
                                                          danger, head off disaster, 
                                                          lead safely through 
                                                          hazards, and guide gently 
                                                          through turmoil. 
                                                        We 
                                                          kiss the boo boos, wipe 
                                                          away the tears, blow 
                                                          on the ouchie and comfort 
                                                          the troubled spirit. 
                                                          We calm the fears, defuse 
                                                          the anger, console the 
                                                          hurt and remain silent 
                                                          when they say, "I 
                                                          hate you," in a 
                                                          fit of frustration. 
                                                        The 
                                                          list of care and love 
                                                          seems endless and the 
                                                          job never seems to end 
                                                          no matter the age of 
                                                          the child. 
                                                        Yet 
                                                          our care and love pales 
                                                          in comparison to the 
                                                          love that Jesus has 
                                                          for each and every one 
                                                          of us. Notice the emphasis 
                                                          in today's Scripture, 
                                                          "He took the children 
                                                          INTO HIS ARMS." 
                                                          The King James Version 
                                                          translates as "And 
                                                          He took them UP in His 
                                                          arms." 
                                                        The 
                                                          Lord is not far away 
                                                          or aloof; He is the 
                                                          Everlasting Father who 
                                                          draws His children close 
                                                          to His heart. He will 
                                                          validate you, accept 
                                                          you, cherish you and 
                                                          envelope you in His 
                                                          love. If you allow Him 
                                                          to. 
                                                        Rejoice 
                                                          in the Lord Always! 
                                                        Dario 
                                                          Ferko 
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