So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10 NIV
A young father proudly takes hold of his tiny daughter’s hand on her first birthday. Today she is taking her first baby steps and he is there to be sure she does not fall or get hurt. His loving gaze is upon her and with a proud daddy grin he says to her, “Hold daddy’s hand sweetheart. I am so proud of you! Look at you go!”
A grandpa and his small grandson are about to cross the street to a neighbor’s home for a visit. He takes hold of the child’s hand and says, “Hold my hand. We are crossing the street. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
A mother is at the shopping mall with her toddler who refuses to stay in the stroller. She grasps her daughter’s hand firmly as they navigate the crowds. In spite of the struggle, the mother lovingly looks into her child’s eyes and says, “Mommy has to hold your hand or you might get lost.”
A woman is assisting her elderly mother as she is relearning to walk after a long debilitating illness. With love and reassurance in her voice, the daughter says, “Mom, just hold my hand. I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.”
A senior couple is taking a leisurely evening stroll through a park. Even after sixty years of marriage, it is obvious they are still full of love for each other. Their hands are clasped tightly together for no other reason except they want to be close. Words are not needed to speak what their hearts are saying: “I love you. I love being near you. I will never tire of having you hold my hand.”
Holding the hand of someone you love is a beautiful thing. Holding a hand speaks love, protection, comfort and reassurance to another person. It says, “You matter to me. I am here for you!”
As I ponder all these various scenarios of holding hands, I cannot help but reflect on how my hand has been held time and time again by the One whose love for me never wavers.
Like the parent protecting his child crossing a potentially dangerous street, my Heavenly Father holds my hand to protect me when I find myself at those uncertain crossroads of life. I simply have to hold his hand and he will guide me.
Like the mother tightly grasping her strong willed daughter’s hand at a shopping mall filled with strangers, so too my Abba Father orders my steps so I will not get lost. Even when I stubbornly think of running ahead of him, he takes hold of my hand firmly but lovingly and will not let me get far.
Like the daughter holding her mother’s hand and watching over her timid steps, my Heavenly Father holds me up steadily when I am afraid of falling. His strong and able hand holds mine and keeps my feet from stumbling.
And just like the beautiful elderly couple with hands interlocked as they take their stroll, so too the Lover of my soul reaches for my hand. He lovingly whispers to my heart, “Take my hand child. Let’s walk together. I will protect you. I will guide you. I will not let you get lost. My hand is strong enough to keep you steady and on the path I have chosen for you.”
My friends, I do not know what you are in need of today.
Perhaps you are at a crossroad in life and you are not certain of which path to take.
Maybe you are feeling a bit lost with no direction for your life today.
Or possibly a situation in your life has greatly weakened you and you are not sure if you have the strength to stand, much less “walk” as you once did.
I know there may even be someone reading this that never had a real father figure in their life as a child. Even now as a grown adult, you feel like an orphan in some ways. Precious one you are not an orphan in the Heavenly Father’s eyes. He has never left your side and he will never abandon you. Whether you know it or not he has been walking next to you all along and his hand has been outstretched waiting for you to grab hold of it. Take his hand now. It is big enough and strong enough to bring you out of any pain you have endured.
Whatever your circumstances, rest in knowing this. The love of the Father will sustain you. His wisdom will guide you and his unfailing mercy will protect you. Look up from your circumstances. The strong and mighty hand of your Abba Father is reaching for yours. Just hold onto Daddy’s hand. Before you know it, you will be walking with confidence once again. His loving gaze is on you with each step you take together. You can trust him.
Now listen closely as you walk with the Father. Did you hear what he just spoke to you? I did. He is smiling proudly and is saying, “Hold Daddy’s hand my precious child. I am so proud of you. Just look at you go!!”
PS: Share your thoughts. Is there a time in your life when you just knew that God was holding your hand through a situation?
Do you need prayer right now? It would be my privilege to “hold your hand” and pray for you, whatever your need may be. Leave a comment below. You are not alone. Be encouraged my friends.
So sweet! And so TRUE! Beautifully written. I love that verse!
Hello Vickie. Thank you for visiting and I am glad you found the story inspiring. That is one of my favorite verses too. Blessings!
This is so beautiful! It hits straight to the heart. I am in awe that He loves us so!
Beka his love truly amazes me! There is nothing more beautiful. Thanks so much for visiting. Blessings!
WOW, what a lovely, sweet post, and thread!! Thank you for putting good and pure thoughts out here for us. Even the comments were lovely and sweet. I’m gonna enjoy this blog!! Blessings in Him, our savior <3
Thank you Tammy! I am glad the story blessed you. I love when my readers leave comments for all of us to enjoy. See you again soon.
Thanks, Rosie. These are sweet words that put real flesh and bone around a spiritual truth!
Hello Michelle. Thank you for visiting my blog and for your lovely comment. Come back soon. Blessings.
I can so relate to this amazing post, Rosie! I tend to get lost in my mind a lot-worries, sadness, overwhelming thoughts and Abba Lord holds me close to His heart.
I love visualizing the Lord holding my hand as my Father, and my best Fiend through the highs and lows of life.
God bless,
Diana-http://dianasdiaries.com
Hello Diana. I am glad the message blessed you. It is always good to have you visit. He truly is the best Father…always there with an outreached hand for us! Blessings to you always.
When my Daddy was murdered almost 5 years ago, I thought I’d never make it through the horrific ordeal. I told God I felt like I was losing my mind. I immediately begin to feel the prayers of the saints and it was if I could feel someone holding me. It was extremely difficult but the live and comfort of order believers praying for me was my saving grace! Jesus was there with me in my darkest hours! I met Him at a church of His choosing way out in the country. He directed me there and the spirit led me with intuitive directions.
Jesus told me many things that I recorded in a notebook. It was a memory that I’ve shared and it was a moment in time I’ll never forget. I was unsure of my Daddy’s salvation and I asked Jesus if He was in heaven. I had already lost my Mama to multiple sclerosis a few years earlier. My baby brother had died at 21. I was at a very low point in my life. I was teetering on the edge of insanity; Jesus assured me that my Daddy was with Him. He told me that Daddy’s eyes were no longer sad. He told me that Daddy was at peace at long last. My Daddy was not a happy person while on earth. This was one of the happiest moments of my life! Even though my Daddy and I were not close I had always prayed for his salvation. I knew in my heart that Jesus had heard me and answered my heartfelt prayers. My travailing was not in vain! I would see my Daddy again one day! Yes, God did show up and He surely showed out when I needed it the most!!
Oh Cindy, my heart broke to hear about the tragic loss of your father. I am truly sorry. I thank and praise our Heavenly Father for his loving and gracious hand of protection over your mind when you went through that painful time. Thank you for sharing such a powerful but difficult testimony. God bless you Cindy.
I could use extra prayer today. I am waiting for my miracle for my health. I said to God “if you do it now instead of later you will still get the glory, please do it now”. My body is weary and strained. I sure could use a quality of life right about now. Danny changed jobs and we will not have health coverage for 60 days. Not eligible for cheap insurance due to the fact that we make too much.
Thanks Rosie
Cathy I know you are struggling. Please know that I pray for you daily. I wish I could tell you when this trial would be over. What I do know is that your Father is with you no matter what. Love you and will remain in the gap for you my friend.
There are so many times when I knew my Heavenly Father was holding my hand! I am so grateful for His faithful love! I can’t wait to spend eternity with Him! This was a beautiful post Rosie! Thanks for always reminding me of my Father’s love and for being such a wonderful encourager!
Esther thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am always happy to read them. Thanks for being such a faithful follower and sharing your heart with others as well. God bless you sister.
Rosie, I am someone you reached today with this post! I needed to hear this. When life gets busy, I feel very much like a small child getting lost in a crowd. Although God never lets go of me, sometimes I let go of Him. Thanks for reminding me of what a wonderful, loving God and Father we have. It makes me feel safe to know I am always in His gaze and under His wing. I need only see with spiritual eyes, focusing on what is unseen and not on what is seen. Love you dear friend. Thank you for yielding to the Holy Spirit and allowing God to speak through you.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
Debbie, my dear friend, thank you for leaving such a lovely and insightful comment. You are right—he never leaves us. When we feel far from him, we are the ones who have wandered off. Praise God his hand is always there to grab hold of again! God bless you dear sister!
I know I am one of the lucky ones……having a daddy who loves me more than anything. Even now, as a 45 year old wife and mother, my daddy’s love is extremely important. But, there is a Father who loves me even more! I am His precious daughter, and His love sustains me through all things.
Thank you for this beautifully written post, Rosie!
Hello BF Warrior! Love that name, BTW. Yes an earthly father’s love is a gift from heaven no doubt. And yet no matter how special that love is, you are right—it cannot compare to our Heavenly Father’s love for us! Thank you so much for visiting and for sharing your sweet comment. God bless!
When my dad had a stroke while our family was traveling in Japan. That was a definitely time I felt the power of prayer or power of Him holding our hands throughout the 2 month journey in the hospital before coming home to America. Thanks for sharing!
Javon I totally can relate to your story. Both of my parents went through some very difficult health crisis issues for a time. I have no doubt that God held my hand and kept me close to him during those times. He is so incredibly faithful. Thank you so much for sharing your comment to encourage others as well. Blessings!
This is so beautiful, Rosie! I’m a grandma as well. But how well I remember the love of a precious daddy here on earth. Because I loved and respected him, it is easier for me to love and trust my Heavenly Father. No, I don’t always trust Him as I should…when fear enters with a doctor’s visit. But I KNOW I can trust Him. It is getting that from my head and heart to my emotions. I need to go back and read this again…..I pray it will richly bless those who have not had a daddy they could trust. ” Father, use these precious words written today by Rosie for others to feel Your love.” Thank You, Rosie.
Hi Cordelia. I was blessed with a wonderful earthly father as well and I thank God for that gift in my life. I miss him very much now that he is gone. I could always trust him to be there for me no matter what I was facing. Now as an adult with children and grandchildren of my own, I see that it was my Heavenly Father’s love that flowed so beautifully through my daddy’s heart to me. What a blessing! Thank you for visiting and for leaving your lovely comment Cordelia. Blessings to you!