Hand Holding with God
At the ripe young age of three, my grandson has already gone through the beginning stages of learning to balance and be independent.
Watching as he wobbled his way to standing.
Finally letting go and having no support but his own two strong but unstable chubby little legs.
Taking that first unsure attempt at a step because there is something just across the room that he just had to have.
That tottering step turns into a sudden plop of his bottom onto the floor... Oh, well, he will try again.
The almost fearlessness of toddlers as they attempt to get motivating. It's a grand thing to witness.
But then, as they grow a little more and come to learn that sometimes those falls don't feel so good. The constant use of the word "no" that they seem to ignore. The beginning of caution buds in their little hearts and minds. Some child size trepidation takes root.
And that's when they begin to look for help. To reach for our hands. Although, to be honest, they don't reach out as much as we would like when the streak of independence and long fought for freedom outweighs any need to be held back by an adult. After all, why can't they just take off running across a parking lot, or down a steep hill, or across a wet muddy yard?
As a mother and now a grandmother, there is just nothing like holding that little hand to help guide him safely through the difficulties of life. Up and down the steps. Across parking lots. In public places. I absolutely couldn't wait for him to reach for me, for my hand.
My heart explodes with joy when my grandson reaches for my hand to make him feel safe and loved. And, I love holding his sweet pudgy hand in mine, keeping him close and helping him learn to be steady, not only on his own two feet, but as he begins to make choices on his own. Sometimes, holding him back from the dangers of choices he does not yet understand.That's what I think of when reading this verse from Isaiah. God is always there, as a loving parent, ready to reach out and take hold of our hand. He relishes the closeness.
He wants to guide us and hold us steady when we need reassurance.
He is there to direct us out of the darkness when we feel lost.
He desires to be the strength needed when taking one more step seems impossible or we are fearful of the consequences should we fall taking that next step.
God yearns for us to reach for Him, to hold tightly to His hand, reassured of His steadfast presence.
God does not want us to fear our today or what may come tomorrow, because He is always there to help us.
His heart explodes with great joy over us, over holding our hand, so much more than we can even imagine.
