"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."