Last month I had to have a scan, which entailed lying still on a cold, narrow table for what seemed like a long time. As they were setting up the machine, the technician offered me a warm blanket. I always say “Yes” to warm blankets in health care settings since the rooms seem cold to me.
As she spread the warm blanket over me, I felt like I was receiving a warm blanket of God’s love, covering my being. The warm blanket helped me relax and my mind wandered to the ways we have been diving into God’s deep love for us through the Gospel of John here at Platt Park Church. Somehow the warm blanket reminded me of the covering of God’s love. Rather than feeling vulnerable, I felt safe. As I was lying still on the table, I prayed for various needs that came to mind.
While I was on the table, my smartwatch vibrated a number of times. I was annoyed at myself for not taking it off, since I wasn’t able to check my watch or phone during the scan. So I willed my thoughts to return to God’s love and the warm blanket that covered me.
When the scan was over, I got up and checked my phone. I had missed several calls and had long text messages. A friend had just learned about a family tragedy and was asking me to pray. Immediately I realized the image of the warm blanket of God’s love wasn’t just for me, it was for my friend and her extended family who were reeling from an untimely and unexpected death.
Then as I walked through the hospital lobby to my car, I noticed that Isaiah 41:10 was displayed in large letters on the wall: “Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
I texted my friend—telling her that I was now praying for the warm blanket of God’s love to cover her and each member of her family. And I shared the verse that God wrote so big on the wall that it couldn’t be missed!
Now as I think about warm blankets, they are a symbol for me of God’s love. But the gift of God’s love isn’t just for me; God’s heart is for us to share that warm blanket of God’s love with others in our sphere of influence.
Warmly,
Carla Foote