little man...

Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.

i was staring into leif's big blue eyes the other night, just sure he could see himself in mine, when i remembered a lesson from when i went to israel 6 years ago (!).  

what our teacher had taught us was that the original hebrew to english translation for "apple of your eye" was actually "little man of your eye."  at first, this seems nonsensical.  how can we be the little man of God's eye?  

however, he went on to explain, it means that God himself draws so near to us that we can see our own reflection in His eyes. 

i remember learning this lesson in Israel and getting the chills because i was so moved.  i tend to sometimes make God so big, mighty and powerful, that i forget the intimacy He has with us (if we let Him in).

but i don't think i truly understood this closeness, until those beautiful, sparkling, blue eyes were gazing dead on into mine.  leif just basks in your gaze.  holding him close while his eyes meet yours is a somewhat holy experience.  as his mother, i feel so much love and awe when i look into those endless, blue pools.  in that moment, nothing can harm him.  he is safe in my arms, trusting me with every molecule of his little being.  

while leif and i were sharing this quiet moment, i realized that if he looked, he could probably see himself in the reflection of my eyes.  he was so physically close to me that not one part of him was hidden.

and that was how the point of this simple psalm, was driven home in the depths of my heart.

it was then i finally understood how God desires to hold us close to him, when we let Him.  sometimes we can feel so small, insignificant.  but if you just give up that control and rest in His arms... you'll find yourself drawn so closely to his chest, that not one part of you will be unsean. this must be what the psalmist means when he says... my frame was not hidden from you when i was made.*

so wherever you are... nestled up in your cozy house, feeling alone and empty, or taking a break from the calamity of life...

take a breathe, sit back and relax...

for He never sleeps nor slumbers**

and He's watching over you... 

you...

the apple of His eye. 

*Psalm 139:15
**Psalm 121:3–4