Hold Our Hand

“The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?”

These first words of Psalm 27 reminded me of an experience I used to have now and again when my kids were small. See if this sounds at all familiar to you…

We would find ourselves, on occasion, in situations that one or more of the kids found a little unsettling. Perhaps waiting to board a thrill ride at the amusement park, or watching a slightly scary movie. Perhaps facing the terrifying experience of having an unfamiliar adult speaking to us, or on our way into the doctor’s office (shots!).

Without anyone saying a word, I would feel a little hand slip into mine. And, as I would close my hand around that small one, I would see the shoulders straighten, the head come up, and a look of “alright, I can do this” appear on the small face that had, just a second ago, looked worried or scared.

Nothing else had changed – whatever it was that had frightened the child was still to be dealt with - but being together made it bearable, gave the child the courage to take the next step forward.

Life can be a lot like that, can’t it?

There are scary moments we have to face, hard decisions we need to make, times we feel lost, sad, frightened and alone. But God never leaves us. The psalmist says “if my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will take me up.” I don’t have to do it alone….

“Come, “my heart says, “Seek his face!” Just like the small child sliding his hand into the comforting grasp of a parent’s hand, all I need do is reach out. God will be there, waiting to walk beside me through all the difficulties life can throw at me. He will teach me his ways, lend me his confidence until I can find my own, cover my fear in his strength and peace.

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” My part is to let him… to seek him, to open my heart, to let my heart take the courage that can come from God. Because, after all, the LORD, Creator and Master of the Universe, is on my side. What could possibly be too scary to face, if God is holding my hand?

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