Held Safe – Henri Nouwen

Long before we were born, we already had been seen, known, loved, and held safe in God’s hands. We were bound together in God’s heart long before we met each other here and now. Long before we could say to each other, “I need you, I love you, hold me, touch me, care for me,” there was a Voice that said: “You are my beloved, on you my favor rests.” Long before we learned to care for each other, we were cared for by our Creator: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?” declares the Lord. “Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands: your frame [i.e., body] is ever before me” (Isa. 49:16). — Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit

Reflection Question: What does it mean to you to know that you were loved before you were born, before genetics or family systems or privilege or trauma had any influence on you?

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast

   and have no compassion on the child she has borne?

Though she may forget,

   I will not forget you!

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” – Isaiah 49: 15, 16