"I want to hold your hand..."

I have often thought my sister Grace is somewhat childish. She is picky about food, doesn't particularly care what her clothes look like so long as they are comfortable, and she always want to hold hands, especially when in any "danger", like a parking lot.

Today was one such event of want to hold hands. We were sitting in church, and I was listening somewhat attentively to the sermon. Suddenly a hand plopped into my lap. It was Grace's. I looked at her, took her hand, and placed it back in her lap. Then my head turned back to the sermon. "Plop." Her hand was back. I looked at her again, gave her the "serious look", and placed her hand back into her lap. This happened three to four times, and I was getting a little annoyed. Finally I demanded "what do you want?!" She looked at me with her innocent, child like eyes and said simply, "I want to hold your hand."


I have often wondered why the Lord loves children so much. Kids are the ones who whine the most, have tantrums the most, and it appears, sin the most. (Don't get me wrong. I LOVE children. In fact, I would rather be with kids then people my own age for the most part. But it does seem they are the ones with the most problems and need the most training out of all people.) So to my question: why?

Perhaps one answer can be found in something as simple as "holding hands." A child realises that he/she is prone to wander and get side tracked, and they see their own dependency. They feel secure holding the hands of one who they can count on to protect them should come harm's way. Adults, on the other hand, don't want to be dependent. They don't want to "hold your hand."

Lesson I learned from the childish ways of Grace: I dont need to be afraid to admit that I need to "hold God's hand." I shouldnt fear calling to my Good Shepherd, and saying that I... well... depend on Him. He wants to hold my hand. He knows I am still a child, and He desires to be the one I turn to in time of need.

Perhaps all of our prayer to God should be the simple plea Grace gave me this morning. Perhaps it is time for us to be the children we are, and say "Lord, I want to hold Your hand."

Alone yet not alone...

The season has come. One can smell it, feel it, see it--- sense it.

No, I do not speak of the standard "summer, winter, fall, spring" seasons. Rather- it is open house season. And what a season it is! Cars flood the streets. Re-connections with many friends that have not been seen in some time. Delicious
food. Tears. Memories. And so much more.

Today was another day of many open houses. I found myself traveling with groups of friends from home to home- hugging, laughing, and conversing with more people than can be counted.

While I was enjoying myself at one such moment, I happened to look over at my sister Grace who was sitting alone in a rocking bench. She seemed in her own world and talking to herself, so I didn't pay much attention at first.

Things were settling down, and so my mind was drawn back to Grace who was still alone. I walked up to her and asked her what she was doing. She looked up at me, smiled, and said without a moments hesitation, "talking to Jesus of course."


Every time something like this happens, I have to stop and think. Here I had been, surrounded by friends and family and different acquaintances- laughing and having the time of my life. Subconsciously, I considered myself the superior to Grace- I being the one surrounded, and she being "alone." But considering the situation, it was quite the reverse.

Grace, while appearing alone, had been in the audience of One far greater than anyone else there. She had been with the King of Kings, and the Lord of lords. Meanwhile, I had been building up my own self, only to find myself quite alone.

There is an old hymn I once read, and while writing this blog, it came to mind. --- I cannot help but wonder if this was the place my sister Grace was, and where I should have been.

"I am alone, yet not alone,
For Thou art near:
I cannot see Thy loving face,
But I can hear
The cheering promise of Thy grace.
Thou wilt not leave me in the dark
When falls the night;
For round my path and in my soul
Thou art the Light
To guide me with Thy sweet control.
No want can steal my rich supplies
Of love and peace;
For though I lack what others hold,
My stores increase
With heavenly gifts more rare than gold.
And Thou wilt bear me all life through,
And in the end
Wilt still abide what Thou hast been,
My constant Friend,
And take me where Thy face is seen."