Take My Hand

When I was a little girl, I would hold my Dad's hand for a lot of reasons. I would hold it when I was scared, when I was happy, so I wouldn't get lost and wander away. Sometimes Dad took my hand when he was mad at me to pull me in line and sometimes he would take it to show me something of great wonder. He would hold it to comfort me when I was sick or very sad. When Dad took my hand, I could relax, I could trust. There was power in his hand and a reassurance of love.

I like to watch my children hold my Dad's hand. I love to watch as he teaches them and leads them. I love to see the way they look up to him, most likely in the same way I looked at him when I was a child; complete trust. I love to see them hold their father's hand. They know who will protect and love them.

As I have grown, the reason I hold my Dad's hand has changed. Mostly I hold it when we are looking in wonder at his grandchildren. We hold hands when we pray and lately, we have held hands to comfort each other.

It amazes me how the life cycle seems to go. How parents become children again and children become the parents. How we comfort those who once comforted us, how we sit at bedsides praying through an illness much like my parents knelt at my bedside and prayed for me. Now my Dad looks to me for comfort and reassurance, now I feel the need to protect him.

As my hands become stronger, his hands are growing weaker.

The blessing in all of this is that long ago, both my Dad and I placed our hands into someone's hands that are far stronger and far more loving. We placed them in our Father God's hands. He is the ultimate father, the ultimate lover and protector. His word tells of this:

When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered...
you hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

-Psalm 73:21, 23b-26

As we grow weaker, He grows ever stronger.