Hold My Hand

My daddy and Chris

 I have fond memories of slipping my hand into my daddy's hand. Maybe he was guiding me as we crossed the road, or he didn't want me to get lost in a crowded space. My hand in his felt like the safest place on earth. And it was. Such a simple gesture to bring about great peace and make me feel safe and secure.

That's the image that came to mind as I read on from Psalm 37:23, which we talked about in yesterday's devotion for caregivers. Jehovah Shammah - the One who is always there, always in our "here" takes it a step further.

In verse 23, we read that He delights in being in and being present for all the details of our lives and days. In verse 24, the psalmist helps us realize that just because God is present, it doesn't mean we are perfect or that we'll never fail. I'm pretty sure I fail daily. :-)

Verse 24 gives us some comfort, though. It says when they stumble - when who stumbles? The ones He is delighted to be with - US! Even when we stumble, we don't fail. How is that possible? The second part of verse 24 says because the Lord holds us by the hand. We can be sure that when our Father has a hand on us, we are not going to get very far away! 

He delights in getting up-close-and-personal, and then, just for an added level of security (for our benefit), He grabs us by the hand. And the best part? He ain't gonna let go, either!

In a world that shuns the caregiver, that doesn't even want to understand our day-to-day lives, He walks right up to us and stays with us - and then touches us! Sometimes, we are treated as though we might get something on anyone who would venture to give us a hug or shake our hand. But God purposefully makes a calculated decision and reaches out to take us by the hand. Just because He wants to, and because He gets joy from being there for us and with us.

I love that about God!

Today, I'll remind myself that God is still an up-close-and-personal God who isn't afraid to be with us and to touch us. Jehovah Shammah (the One who is here with us) takes us by the hand to let us know that He's got us. I find this so exciting and encouraging, and it will be my meditation for today. I will think about this caregiving journey. And as I reflect, I'll think about how God was always shammah - there. He's not left for a brief moment or stepped out to get coffee. He remains present. He remains constant. He holds my hand while crossing the busy and dangerous street of caregiving. He's not going anywhere but "here" today! I know I can trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?



 Check out my latest publication. It's a prayer journal for grandparents. The Legacy of Prayer is a journal that provides a meaningful place to write down prayers, hopes, Scripture verses, blessings, and the names and needs of the grandchildren you love. Whether you are praying for a newborn grandchild, a teenager finding their way, or an adult grandchild facing important decisions, these pages give you a place to bring each one before God.

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