Safe in the Arms of Jesus

Evie was born on a Thursday night.  That following Sunday we went to church.  It seemed like the right thing to do, since our biggest supporters and prayer warriors were there and we knew they would meet us where we were.  Still though, it was hard.  

It seemed that song after song spoke directly to my heart that morning.  Directly to my hurting, aching heart and specifically selected to point me to the God I needed.  One of those songs was the beautiful old hymn by Fanny Crosby, Safe in the Arms of Jesus.  

Safe in the arms of Jesus, 
Safe on His gentle breast;
There by His love o'ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.

As I sang those words as much as my shaky, tear-filled voice would let me, I could not get this picture out of my mind:  

You see, in this picture Evie had already gone to Jesus.  I had been holding her but then Josh scooped her up into his Daddy arms, leaned her against his chest and closed his eyes.  "It just feels so good to hold her" he said.  

In that moment Evie was being held by the two men who loved her most - her soul was safe in the arms of her Heavenly Father and her little body was being tenderly snuggled by her earthly daddy.  A sweeter more sincere picture of love for one tiny girl there cannot be!

1. Safe in the arms of Jesus,
   Safe on His gentle breast;
   There by His love o’ershaded,
   Sweetly my soul shall rest.
   Hark! ’tis the voice of angels
   Borne in a song to me,
   Over the fields of glory,
   Over the jasper sea.
   • Refrain:
     Safe in the arms of Jesus,
     Safe on His gentle breast;
     There by His love o’ershaded,
     Sweetly my soul shall rest.
2. Safe in the arms of Jesus,
   Safe from corroding care,
   Safe from the world’s temptations;
   Sin cannot harm me there.
   Free from the blight of sorrow,
   Free from my doubts and fears;
   Only a few more trials,
   Only a few more tears!
3. Jesus, my heart’s dear Refuge,
   Jesus has died for me;
   Firm on the Rock of Ages
   Ever my trust shall be.
   Here let me wait with patience,
   Wait till the night is o’er;
   Wait till I see the morning
   Break on the golden shore.