You Hem Me In

by Jody Sackman

This morning, as I tried to peel myself out of bed, I really didn't want to. Turns out, I was surrounded and held captive by a pillow fortress! Lying there, I distinctly heard the phrase, "I hemmed you in." It felt so cozy and safe, I actually wanted to stay put a little longer. But after a bit, I started to genuinely thank God: "Thank You for hemming me in, for holding me tight and keeping me safe and secure."

Naturally, I looked up "hemmed in." It means to be restricted, enclosed, or surrounded, preventing movement or freedom. Now, none of that sounds appealing in the slightest! I mean, I'm pretty claustrophobic, so "hemming me in" sounds TERRIBLE! I don't like tight clothes, and I definitely don't love closed-in places like caves with no way out. This girl usually needs an escape route... or do I?

Truth is, especially in this season of hard, I long to be held secure. Not always hugged, but truly HELD tight, like "it's all gonna be alright" or "you are safe here." You know, hemmed in!

My mind went straight to Jonah. Maybe he wasn't just being punished for saying no to Nineveh. (These are my thoughts, mind you!) Perhaps he was being held secure – hemmed in – for a specific time. Maybe he needed a little longer to "bake" his thoughts, to come into alignment with his assignment. Perhaps he needed an intimate time with Daddy (Father God), no distractions, nobody yapping in his ear. Just him and the presence of Jesus (inside the belly of the whale) for clarity on his assignment. Hmm, makes you think, doesn't it?

So often, we equate being "hemmed in" with something negative or a punishment. But is it really?

Of course, I found myself back in my favorite book, Psalm 139. David, the author, is completely overwhelmed by God's omnipresence (present everywhere at the same time). In verse 5 it says: "You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me."

Upon further research, I learned that the phrase "hem me in" (Hebrew: tsuwr) suggests being enclosed — not like a prisoner, but like a beloved child held close. It's the image of God both behind and before us, wrapping His presence around our every movement, shielding us from harm, hemming the edges of our lives like a master weaver. This "hemming in" isn't just protection; it's also purpose—a boundary of love, not restriction. It's divine intention surrounding us.

I had to stop and re-read that. Maybe you do too! He (God) has a boundary of protection set for us because He loves us! It's like an electric fence, not necessarily only to keep us in, but to keep us protected from the dangers outside the fence.

My sister and her husband set up an electric fence for their horses and ours. Inside the fence, there's lush grass, shelter, and water. Outside, and a little ways off, there's a road with quite a bit of traffic — cars and people who don't necessarily know to slow down for "animals at large!"

You see, I believe this whole "being hemmed in/fenced in" is all about perspective. It's a choice, a mindset. Are we being held in, or kept out? Are we safe inside, or held captive?

Today, you don't have to look far to see that there is danger all around. The news is full of tragedy after tragedy. It is scary and not very secure out there in our world. Yet, God says, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, I will give you rest!" He promises, "I'll hold you safe! I'll keep you secure and even hem you in! I'll provide for all your needs!"  Inside the belly of the whale, inside the electric fence, inside the arms of Jesus…

I know where I want to be. I want to be hemmed in and holding on! God, I long to be Your child, held in, safe, and secure! Thanks, God, for Your perspective, for Your clear vision, that I can truly see: it's 100% okay to be hemmed in!