A Year of Choices…
By Barbara Dahlgren from Barbara’s Banter at www.barbdahlgren.com
The Bible continually refers to God as our heavenly Father and to us as His children. I love what God tells us in Isaiah 41:13: “Fear not for I the Lord your God will hold your right hand. I will help you.” If we put our hand in God’s hand He will walk with us. He will guide us on our journey.
Fathers exude an aura of protectiveness to their children. When toddlers are learning to walk they want to hold their father’s hand to steady their uneasy steps.
Preschoolers tend to be a little braver so a father will demand his hand is held to keep children from wandering away, getting lost, or darting out in front of traffic. His hand gives a sense of security.
As children grow up and show a certain amount of wisdom they might be allowed to venture out more on their own. Still they know that a steady hand of guidance is there when needed.
Of course there are times when teens or young adult children think they know so much more than their father. Eventually as they grow in maturity they realize dad knew quite a bit more than they thought. As Tim Russet said, “The older I get, the smarter my dad seems to get.”
Those who had loving fathers find it easier to view God as loving, merciful, and kind. Unfortunately, not all fathers are that way. Some were too busy to be bothered with their children, never around or even abusive. Our heavenly Father can transcend those negative memories because our spiritual Father is never too busy for us. He is always available and willing to give us His undivided attention. His thoughts are only for our best. He will never abandon or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
Consider this… We are all children at heart. We all have times when we need someone to hold our hands. If we put our hands in our heavenly Father’s hand he will hold it. He will help us. He will steady our uneasy steps. He will keep us from getting lost. He will guide us. He will calm us, comfort us, and keep us secure.
All we have to do is say, “Father, hold my hand” and he will!
Suggestions for practicing this choice…
- Read these passages referring to God holding your hand and what it means: Psalm 16:11; Psalm 63:8; Psalm 73:23-28; Psalm 139:23-28.
- Think about what can be accomplished when we put what we have into God’s hands. A little boy put his bread and fish into Christ’s hands and a multitude was fed. (John 6:1-13)
- Holding God’s hand is a metaphor for surrendering our life to his. Ask God to help you see the benefits of doing this. Here are just a few things God can do for us that we can’t do for ourselves: feel loved, overcome worry, move forward, give life purpose, etc. Make a list of your own.
- Listen to Put Your Hand in the Hand and be reminded that this choice is worth making.
- With our hand in God’s we can go anywhere He leads without fear. Think about this poem by Mary Louise Haskins…