An Encouraging Word- Clinging to Momma's Leg (November 9, 2025)

     One of my earliest memories is of being probably 3 or 4 and going to the bank with my mom.  I don’t remember much, but I do recall standing in a very long line waiting on my mom to finish her banking.  I must have been squirrely, because I kept running away and then running back to grab onto my mom’s pants leg. I think I knew I was not really behaving, but that my mom was giving me a little forgiveness just because I was cute or wiggly or on her nerves a little bit. 
    Apparently the line had moved forward while I let go of my mom’s pants leg and ran away , just for a brief bit . I heard my mom say, “Come on, Melissa,”.  I ran back and threw my arms around my mom’s pants leg and hung on for dear life, lest I get lost from her.  I immediately felt the leg stiffen and when I looked up, I was terrified to see that this person I was clinging to was NOT my mom! It was a grandfatherly looking man with a gray beard. He tried to smile at me but I immediately started wailing. I truly thought that I had been lost. In my little toddler mind, there was no hope for my situation. Thankfully , my mom was only one person ahead in the line and promptly pulled me over to her leg , back to security and safety. I think that  I may have even scored a lollipop out of the deal from the bank teller, who felt sorry for me.

     The Bible tells us , ” Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good,” Romans 12:9 (New International Version).

    When I was a child, I learned to cling to what was good- my mom and dad, my grandparents.  When I grew into a young adult, I learned to cling to what was good- faithfulness, faith, love, hope.  Now as a full grown adult, I am still learning to cling to that which is good: perseverance, challenges, salvation.

    Wait…I listed challenges as something that is good? Can challenges be good? For me, challenges have been very good. They have taken me from fear to faith. They have forced me to step out of my insecurities, my comfort zone, my limited mindset. They have forced me to take a long hard look at my beliefs, my true heart motives, my fears (which are many). Challenges have produced the greatest thing in my life- change. So, yes, I consider challenges in life to be one of the best and greatest things that I have experienced, and change to be one of the most needed! Hopefully this year I will learn to cling to that too.  Remember, leave the rest up to God. He has big enough shoulders to carry it all for us !

Scriptures to Hide In Your Heart:
1 Corinthians 10:13 (English Standard Version)
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful , and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”


Psalm 73:26 (New International Version)
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”


2 Corinthians 12:9 (New King James Version)
“And He said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”


Songs to Encourage You:
There is Hope (CityAlight)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QeF2rhMr6U&list=RDTdqenA8k_GU&index=5


When You Walk Into the Room (Bryan & Katie Torwalt)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zqg5k_GUx4&list=RDTdqenA8k_GU&index=14


Protector (Kim Walker-Smith)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaZvXrnpSEc&list=RDTdqenA8k_GU&index=29


When We Pray (Alegra Garcia)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DJ3NjA9ZjA&list=RDTdqenA8k_GU&index=36
​

You are loved beyond measure!
Melissa Boggs
Christian Life Academy 

---