I have the most precious picture of my son holding my grandson on my bedroom wall. I love this picture. It’s just so hard to put into words except “flesh of my flesh.” He is wrapped in his daddy’s arms totally safe with the biggest smile across his face. Just a few weeks old, he senses peace and comfort, safe in his daddy’s arms! There is just something about a father’s arms!
Arms are powerful, especially Jesus’ arms. I can see Jesus as a child, holding out his arms to His mother and wrapping His arms around her neck telling her that He loved her. I can see Jesus’ arms as a teen working with Joseph as a carpenter, His arms getting stronger and stronger each day. Then as He became older, His arms were again very important as He was leaving home to start His ministry.
Jesus held His arms open to the 12 Disciples welcoming them as His brothers. He held His arms open to the little children saying, “Let them come to me.” I can just imagine Him picking up the children and twirling them around in a circle while in His arms. He held His arms open to the sick, the poor, the hungry. His arms were always open to all, never turning away anyone!
Those same arms were forced to carry a huge chunk of wood to the top of a hill. When our Savior was put on the cross, He was placed there with His arms WIDE OPEN, still offering us all a chance to be a part of eternity. And just as Jesus held us in His arms and placed us in our mother’s womb before we were born, I also see Him on His Mercy Seat next to a peaceful lake, and He gathers us into His arms at our eternal home.
Do you remember experiencing the power of Jesus’ arms while you were on the Walk to Emmaus? Maybe it was in the conference room during a talk or in the chapel at Dying Moments. His arms certainly carried away a room full of junk that day. Or perhaps it was during Candlelight as His arms carried you through that heavenly line.
How perfect are Jesus’ arms, no matter where we are, they are a place of comfort and peace! We know that we are called to be His “hands and feet”. Perhaps we are also called to be the “arms” of Jesus. We too should always reach out to others with open arms, welcoming, comforting and lots of holding! We should always extend an invitation to attend an Emmaus Walk so that everyone has an opportunity to experience the power of being in His arms.
We welcome with open arms our new caretakers to the camp, Scott and Charlene Coleman. The Colemans are coming to us from Kosciusko. They will officially begin on June 1st. Rick and Bev have opened their arms to them and taught them all the tricks of the trade for the past few months.
On Sunday afternoon, July 31st from 2:00-4:00, we will open our arms with hugs for Rick and Bev as we host a Retirement Reception in the Chapel to show our appreciation for all their hard work over the past years.
We look forward to two more walks in June. Beginning on June 2, Beth Roberts will be leading Walk #348 and on June 9, Jody Bailey will be leading Walk #350. Both ladies have been working tirelessly to put together two fabulous teams.
As these teams open their arms to the pilgrims headed their way on these walks, please join me as I pray that their reach will be just what is needed to welcome, comfort, and bring some ladies closer to Christ!
DeColores!
Judy Smith Community Chair 2022
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