I wrote this post a couple of years ago for a parenting blog I contributed to. It came to mind this morning as I read Psalm 27 again, and I thought I’d share it here.
How many times have you as a parent, grandparent, aunt, older sibling, or close family friend held the hand of a little child and walked along with him? There’s something absolutely precious about holding that little hand. Suddenly a wobbly toddler begins walking in confidence. A little boy who is nervous about that big jump takes a bold leap. An excited little one is able to devote her attention to the wonders around her while each step is guided by the protecting hand of a trusted adult.
Recently I was reminded of a passage from Psalm 27. It reads:
The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. (Psalms 37:23-24 NASB)
Can you just picture the Lord holding our hands in the same way that we hold the hands of our children?
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We guide their steps, as He guides ours.
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We are so excited and delighted with their enthusiasm for life and for the things they see around them. He delights in our learning journey.
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When they start to fall, our hands are already on them. Although they might scratch their knees, they don’t take a headlong plunge and experience serious injury, because we’re already right there! We’re also ready to comfort immediately. He is right there for us. We are not promised to escape pain altogether, but His hand is already upon us – He’s right there to ease our falls and immediately pick us up and pull us into His arms.
Parenting is one of the many pictures of God’s love for us. And, oh it is a beautiful one. Each time I try to begin to fathom that He loves me infinitely more than I love my own children, I am astounded and humbled.
Not Quite Ordinary 