During prayer this morning, I was reading a blog post from Father John Riccardo which included an excerpt from The Weight of Glory. It talks about how heavenly glory is really about being childlike and feeling glorious because of the way your Heavenly Father dotes on you. At least that was my takeaway.
It made me remember a time I had prayed thinking about curling up on the Father’s lap and simply resting there.
I have had this strange aversion to my kids sitting on my lap which I have had to intentionally repress in order to give them physical affection which does not come naturally to me. This aversion is mostly during times when it’s unnecessary for them to sit on my lap. I have gotten better but the internal discomfort still arises sometimes.
A few nights ago my son tripped over a ledge, hurting his foot. What did I do? I scooped him up onto my lap, letting him cry it out. But then the next morning, when he climbed onto my lap, I balanced my coffee while fighting the internal desire to protect my personal space.
I know physically signaling I don’t want you in my space can have repercussions outside of this moment. And so I don’t allow my discomfort to dictate how welcoming I am to him.
I want him and all of my children to know I will always make space for them. I want to be a safe space. I want to be a place where they can sit and rest.
All of this led me to start thinking about Mary’s lap. We see so many pictures of Jesus on her lap, mostly as a baby, but also in death, where she holds Jesus, His lifeless body in her lap.
I wondered why it has never occurred to me to sit on Mary’s lap during prayer. If Jesus found rest there, wouldn’t I too? If she has the strength to hold the wounded, dead body of Jesus, doesn’t she have the strength to hold my wounds too?
I invite you like I did this morning to imagine yourself, small and childlike and to join Jesus in Mary’s lap. Curl your legs up and lean on her chest. Reach your finger out for baby Jesus to grab a hold of. Listen to Him laugh. Feel Mary squeeze you both so close to her.
She always has space for you. She wants to be a safe place. She wants to pull you in close to her Son. Tell her about your dreams. Ask her if you can do something special today. Ask her if the Father is going to let you have the thing your heart desires.
She’s listening. She’ll bring it to Him. She’s holding you close to Jesus.
Could you stay here forever? I could too.
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