I have previously shared that my husband (in the early days of our relationship) was a “no public displays of affection” person. But now, we hold hands all the time. Whether in the car, walking down the street, or through the mall, we are holding hands and I LOVE IT.
Holding hands has been special to me since I was a child. I remember holding my daddy’s hand as we walked home from school. He would pick me up and take my hand in his. I felt so loved and protected. My dad was a broken sinner (as we all are). But I knew he loved me and, when he held my hand, I felt safe and secure.
I have always loved holding hands.
Our children and grandchildren were at our house last summer. It was a beautiful day and we all went outside. The kids were all playing in the yard. And two of our grandchildren (toddlers) wanted to go for a stroll (or tumble 🙂 ), down the driveway. So, Grammy took both of their hands and we began to walk. Our rambunctious little 2-year-old grandson took my hand and suddenly became subdued. He and our precious little granddaughter walked all the way down that long driveway. And for those little toddler legs, it was a long, long, driveway 🙂 . Those babies walked all the way down and then all the way back up, never letting go of Grammy’s hands. We were holding hands the entire time.
That was one of those precious memories that I will never forget. But it was so much more than just a walk down the driveway. Those two little babies trusted Grammy. They took my hand and headed down that driveway, never looking back. They knew that I would watch out for and protect them. And they knew that they were safe and loved. They knew that I would bring them back to their mommy and daddy. Those babies trusted me. And they were right. I would protect them with my life if I had to. I would do everything I could to make sure they didn’t stray off the path into danger and they knew I would bring them home safely.
One of my favorite bible verses is Isaiah 41:13. It says, “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Most of us can recall holding the hand of a parent or grandparent when we were children. We felt that safety and love. This verse tells us that we can feel that same safety and love as adults because God Himself holds our hand and protects us.
The safety and love those two little toddlers felt when they strolled down our driveway holding my hand is ours for the asking.
The scriptures tell us repeatedly that, as followers of Jesus Christ, we have been adopted into the family of God. We are His children. 1 John 3:1 couldn’t be clearer on that fact when it says, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God.” In this verse, John is saying “LOOK! What kind of love is this that God has poured out on us, that we would be called His very own children?”
This love that God pours out on us is beyond our comprehension. It is beyond anything we will ever experience apart from Him. His love is SO great that He sent His Son to die in our place. And He did that before you even committed your first sin. He knew that we couldn’t pay the penalty for the sin that we were going to commit and sent Jesus, His only son, to pay that penalty for us.
Our Abba Father, in our Isaiah verse, has said (and I am paraphrasing), “I am the Lord your God, I hold your hand and tell you don’t fear. I am here to help you.” He is our loving Father who protects us.
Psalm 27:1 tells us, “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?” With our loving Heavenly Father holding our hand as we walk through this life, what and whom shall we fear?
If I would protect my grandbabies with my life, doing everything I could to make sure they didn’t stray off the path into danger and bring them home safely, how much more will our loving Abba Father do for us?
God did protect us with His life. “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Romans 4:25.
He does do everything He can to keep us from straying off the path into danger. “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.
And He will bring us home safely. “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17. “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am you may be also.” John 14:2-3.
Your Abba Father is holding out His hand for you to take. He wants to protect, guide, and love you as you have never been loved before. He wants you to walk through this land mine we call life holding hands with Him.
I pray that today you would not only hold the hand of our Loving Heavenly Father, but I pray that you would curl right up in His lap. Trust Him fully and let Him love you deeply. He truly adores you. You will never experience that kind of love, peace, and safety apart from Him.
If you have never experienced the love of our Heavenly Father or trusted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. Once you have done that, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know so that I can pray with and for you. And can help you grow in your knowledge of and relationship with our adoring Abba Father.
Luv Ya!
