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

When I first learned the meaning of the idiom "you are the apple of my eyes," I was thoroughly enchanted. The apple of your eye is the tiny reflection of yourself in another's eyes, and the only way to see these tiny 'apples' is to physically be very close to their face. So close your noses are basically touching! That is a closeness, an intimacy not shared with just anyone. Only those who truly love you, whose hearts are in accord with yours are allowed so close--husband and wife, sisters, parents and children. To be so close that you see the reflection of yourself in the eyes of another is to be so close you see every flaw or perfection in them, and they in you. To be so close is to love them as they are, with all your heart, and to be known and loved as closely as well. 

I don't let anyone to get up in my face like that. Less than two feet away and I am backing up. Anyone who tries this--especially a man (my Bob excepted!)--causes a great amount of fear and anxiety in me. I really hate it when people 'invade' my personal space, unless I know them and love them deeply. 

David cries out to God with this longing of his. "Keep me as the apple of your eye, O God! Be so close to me that I am reflected in your eyes, and you are reflected in mine. Know me, LORD, know me closely, intimately, completely! And hide me. When I run in fear or don't know where to go--hide me in the shadow of your wings! And let me know you as well!'

Like little chicks flock to a hen and hide beneath the soft, fluffy and protective warmth of her wings, so David cries out for that privilege. To be able to hide so close to the Creator of the universe, to our LORD, our Savior, our Heavenly Abba--what a gift! What an honor! And what a place of safety and rest!

It's funny how we humans tend to pull away from those who love us when we go through hard times. Yet our plea should be like David's. Instead of running FROM God, we need to run TO him! Clasped safe in his heavenly arms we can know of his deep and profound love for us, and rest as the apple of his eye!

I pray you find rest & peace & joy in Him today! 

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