While studying some snapshots, I unexpectedly discovered I am the apple of my son’s eye.
When I found myself there, I immediately thought of David’s plea to the Lord, “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 17:8).
I thought about it all day long. David’s longing to be cherished and his plea for protection were so straightforward, almost childlike: Keep me as the apple of your eye, Lord.
Then yesterday at church, as we sang in worship, my intellectual exercise traveled 18 inches south, to my heart, and I felt it…as if the Lord was assuring me, You are the apple of my eye. Precious. Protected.
I was sitting toward the back of the sanctuary and glanced around the room thinking, Each one, precious…protected. Each one, the apple of God’s eye, just as Israel was always in His sights.
In a desert land he found [Israel, his people],
in a barren and howling waste.
He shielded him and cared for him;
he guarded him as the apple of his eye. (Deuteronomy 32:10)
But even as I visually drew in everyone to include them in the attentiveness of God, I felt that personal pulse.
I am the apple of His eye.
Why do I hesitate, resisting His attention? Why do I tend to deflect it toward others?
I am the apple of His eye.
With a sigh, shoulders loose, heart filling, I sat with that thought…that reality.
I know it.
I need to rest in it.
I need to rest in the shadow of His wings, in the apple of His eye.
Personal. Protected.
Precious.
:::
Image by Ann Kroeker. All rights reserved.
Shared in community with:
18 Responses to The Apple of Your Eye
Leave a Reply
About
Blogger: Pursuing a Christ-centered, creative, curious, slightly quirky, slow-down life and sharing it with you, post after post. (Home of Food on Fridays).
Author: Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families
Content Editor: The High Calling (Family/Parenting)
ann kroeker. curator. (read it, liked it)- I Do: Doing | The High Calling February 22, 2012
- Mom’s Fight | winncollier.com February 21, 2012
- Beautiful Mundane | winncollier.com February 21, 2012
- Long Distance Lobsters: Cooking with Zoe: A letter to my love February 12, 2012
- Teeter Tottering: Two February 12, 2012
- Romance in 500 Words « Simply Darlene February 12, 2012
- Stetsons « A DIFFERENT STORY February 12, 2012
- Of Green Mohair and Breakdowns « Sandra Heska King February 12, 2012
- Kimberlee Conway Ireton » Blog Archive » Author Interview: L.L. Barkat February 12, 2012
- The Telegram « Megan Willome February 7, 2012
I feel this one. (And may I just say “wow!” over that photo?) I’m glad you got over that little bit of depression (saw that comment on FB) to write about this. I read this quote in a book I’m working through this week: “Being loved is an invitation to conversion and transformation.” (Moment by Moment: A Retreat in Everyday Life). It made me realize that by resisting His great love, I am resist transformation.
Who doesn’t want to be transformed?
So…Ok, I’ll say it. I am the apple of His eye.
Thank you for these words, friend. Would definitely like to accept the love…and the transformation.
Beautiful words this morning, and such truth to think on. Thank you! “I am the apple of His eye.” I want to live with this in my heart and in my mind.
Thank you for joining me in accepting this small but critical truth.
What a beautiful post! I needed to hear that today. The photograph is just amazing too.
Beautiful truth.
This is so touching Ann – and it reaches down into my heart too. I have been feeling particularly unlovely these days. To know that He feels that way about me is both humbling and so very comforting.
Thank you.
I miss you sweet girl!
Ann, I’m so glad you commented on my blog so I could click on your name and cruise on over here to read this. I love it when God slowly works in our hearts and minds to teach us a truth, and I love it when I can look back and see how He prepared me to hear a message on Sunday morning by plowing and planting in my heart the week before. I also especially love this thought — I, individually, am the apple of His eye. So often, we do think collectively – which can be good – but I think He wants us to meditate on His individual, personal love for us.
For me, it often comes during worship songs, too — this sudden awareness. Reminds me of the verse, “I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.” – 1 Cor 14:15
And you? Yes, you are the apple of His eye. You don’t fall from from that Tree. You know it? Radiant ((you)).
Oh,Ann, this is immensely beautiful and heart-changing. I, too, needed to hear this today. I can picture you in this small country church taking in the magnitude of His love.
(Don’t know if that image is true or not, but that is what came to mind.)
Now, I need to meditate on that word–”I am the apple of His eye.”
Absolutely fantastic photo!
Blessings,
Janis
I understand how it is to wonder if you are loved. Probably by many and most but maybe a certain person — not so sure. I have one person who “hates” me. I try very hard to love her, and let her know she is loved and welcome at our home. I must leave her in God’s hands because as long as HE approves of me (and YOU) and we are the apple of HIS eye, nothing else really matters. (much)
Wow, what an amazing picture! Love this post. I can jump up and down believing that everyone else is the apple of His eye but it takes more time to believe it for myself sometimes. It does feel so good to bask in it though. Enjoyed your words very much.
This weekend at the Relevant conference the speakers talked frequently about the fact that the Lord delights in each one of us. Such a full word. Not just that He is happy with us, but that He delights. Doesn’t it sound so exuberant and effusive? I admit, it is taking some time for that to sink in — that He delights in me. In me personally. That just wows me.
So lovely, Ann. And so true for all of us – it is hard to grasp this wonderful, freeing truth, isn’t it? And the picture is grand. So glad you put this down today – it looks like all of us needed to read it and remember. Thank you.
Thank you Ann for accepting God’s love message to you and then sharing it with us. I felt God telling me a love truth this past Sunday but I resisted (sort of), and now I am asking God to help me to receive it.
Your words were what I needed to read today. Thank you.
Awe, great visual for a powerful message. Awesome!
Great post and photo. I too have been so drawn into worship and I lifted each person up as I watch them commune. Powerful isn’t it? Coming over from Michelle’s post today where your blog is listed and so glad I did!
Ann — I realized after we were talking that I had not actually read this post. I loved this, needed to hear this, and am so thankful that Jesus is so unrelenting in his affection for us. I needed this message today. Your presence in the waiting room and over tea felt was a good reminder of that too. Bless you, friend.