12 Days of Moments with Christ Day 12 (Jan 5, 2026)

 12 Days of Moments with Christ Day 12

One day after not handling a frustrating situation with my child very well, like, AT ALL, I went angrily to my room where I glimpsed the framed picture of Jesus on my dresser. In the painting, called “Abide with Me” by Simon Dewey, He has his arms outstretched with the nail marks in His hands clearly visible. It’s meant to show Christ’s welcoming and warm demeanor, and it does, but in that moment I had to laugh because it seemed like He was looking right at me with his arms thrown out like, “Really, Erika? What was that! THAT’S how you handled it? THOSE are the words you said? Come on, now! That’s not the way!” To which I looked at that picture and said humbly, “I know, I know! That was not my best! I’m sorry!” I knew I had to fix things.

Now every time I see that picture, I see it in two ways, the warm and inviting way, and also the lovingly disappointed in me kinda way 😆

But in all seriousness, it reminds me just how merciful my Savior is. I make mistakes again and again. In fact, here we are in the new year, and my resolutions very much mirror last year’s cause I kinda failed them. But no matter how many times I mess up, He is there encouraging me, believing in me, knowing my worth and divine potential. His atonement sanctifies and cleanses and makes me whole in Him.

On the back of the painting, the artist says, “In this painting I wanted to depict the Savior with open arms, welcoming and inviting us to come unto Him, the Prince of Peace. My intention was to create an expression of His softness, forgiveness, and understanding; for He knows us and seeks after us that we may find rest and peace in Him.“

And that’s exactly it. That is my Redeemer, my King, my Shepherd, my Advocate. He definitely throws up his hands in exasperation about me from time to time… but those same hands bled for me, seek after me, and take me back with unmatched mercy and undeserved compassion. That’s my Jesus. I believe in Him and love Him.

“For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee... For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee” Isaiah 54:7,10