Songs In The Night

 

13 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.” – Isaiah 41:13

Present Hand-Holding

It has been just over a year since my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Since her diagnosis, we have been reminded of our dependence upon others.  As humbling as it may be, sometimes we just need a little support.  Sometimes we just need someone to hold our hand.

Last night my parents joined us for dinner.  In order to get up our steps my mother now needs a little assistance.  With one hand on the railing, we supported her other arm.  Once safely in the house, she took my hand in hers and I guided her into the kitchen.  Not being much of a “hand holder”, it was a bittersweet moment.  I was glad I could help her, but sad that I had to.

As I lay awake in bed during the middle of the night I reflected on the evening with my parents.  Specifically, holding my mother’s hand.  When I was growing up, I was not accustomed to seeing affection displayed.  I’m not sure why, perhaps it was German pride, but holding hands, hugs, and even “I love yous” were not part of my families upbringing.  Sad to say, showing affection is not a strength of mine.  I guess you might say it is not a part of our family “trait”.

Past Hand-Holding

As I was reflecting, when I should have been sleeping, I remembered an incident from my early childhood.  My father and I had just left our family business and were going to cross Main Street.  I looked up and saw the traffic light change, and fearful of the oncoming traffic, I instinctively reached up to take a hold of my father’s hand.  What I did not realize was that he had a partially smoked cigar in the hand I reached for.  Instead of finding the protection I sought; I clutched danger.  Rather than the comfort of placing my timid hand in his strong hand, I instead experienced the pain of being burned.  Although I made it safely to the other side of the street, I did so with tears in my eyes.  Needless to say, it was not a positive hand-holding experience.  Nor was it the only experience I reflected on.

As I was entering High School, my family moved across town.  The move put us a few blocks away from two of my father’s aunts.  Aged, and with failing eyesight one of them asked if I would take care of her lawn.  Of course I would.

I remember going through the yard with my great-aunt.  Holding her frail little hand we walked through the yard as she explained what she wanted to be done.  In actuality, I think she just wanted someone to talk to.  With humility, she gave me a brief lesson in cataracts (her excuse for holding my hand), and with great pride, she gave me a long lesson in our family history.  She was so proud of the entrepreneurial heritage of our family and the contributions our family had made to our hometown.  She also shared how much she missed her long deceased husband.  My time with my great-aunt was more than just a “business” meeting.  Hand in hand we strolled down memory lane as we traversed across her yard.  How do you tell a ninety-something relative you don’t like to hold hands?  Sometimes you just need to make exceptions!!  But don’t tell my wife, for whom I seldom make exceptions.

The Circle of Life

My wife and I were High School sweethearts.  When we were dating she would ask to hold my hand from time to time and most of the time I would decline.  Not because I didn’t love her or because I found it awkward, but because I found it uncomfortable.  When I was young I suffered from extremely dry hands, which often cracked and bled.  I remember being taken to the doctor as a very young boy to get prescription strength lotion for my hands.  And then, for whatever reason, my hands did a complete turnaround.  Instead of being dried out they became perpetually sweaty.  I share this only to say, for as long as I can remember, I have been conscientious of my hands and therefore reluctant to hold hands.  Even with those I love the most.

Now, I find that holding my grandchildren’s hands is one of my greatest joys.  Just last week I walked out back on our property with my 18-month-old grandson.  It is a privilege I don’t take lightly.  Nearly 40 years ago I was walking through my great aunt’s yard, hand in hand with a relative two generations above me.  Now I have the joy of walking through my property hand in hand with my grandchildren, two generations below me.  I think I understand why my great aunt didn’t want to let go.  When they are reluctant, I’ll have to try that “cataracts line” on my grandchildren.  Perhaps my great-aunt’s vision wasn’t so poor after all.

I am amazed at what memories and emotions were released from simply holding my mother’s hand.  I am ashamed that it is an experience I haven’t had more often.  With her or any of my loved ones.  We never know how often we will have the chances.  Which is probably why I lay awake so long last night.

Holding God’s Hand

As I have stated so many times, God has created us as relational beings.  We need to be hugged.  We need to be told, “I love you”.  And as we see in today’s verse from Isaiah, we need the comfort and support of someone taking our hand in theirs.  Especially God.

God says He will hold our right hand.  When I read this verse I ask why the right hand?  My first thought was because for most of us our right hand is our dominant hand.  It is our hand of strength.  If we are going to resist it is most likely going to be with our right hand.  Therefore, to allow God to take hold of our right hand is to submit to Him.  Which is what we need and He wants.  As I said at the beginning sometimes we need a little support.

In the context of Isaiah chapter 41, God is assuring His children of His presence.  If you look back at verse 10 you see God’s promise to strengthen and uphold His children.  The illustration is literally one of a parent with a child.  The reason God holds our right hand with His left is that He is holding a weapon in His right hand.  He is our protector.  More than that, as He holds our right hand in His left, and wields a weapon in His right hand, He is defying anyone to separate His child from His hand!!

What an incredible picture.  We are little children who need help.  We need our fears alleviated.  Our Heavenly Father in perfect love and infinite strength extends His left hand to us.  He knows our needs.  He is not afraid of showing affection.  I am thankful that saying “I love you” and holding hands is a part of His family trait.

I don’t know what trials today may bring you.  I don’t know what battles you are fighting.  But I do know one thing, as a child of God you are not walking alone.  God is our helper.  Hand in hand we are traversing this earth with Him until He guides us safely home.  There we will gather around His throne and worship Him with all of the generations He has guided by the right hand.

As we gather around the throne with the saints, my guess is we’ll be holding hands.

So you better practice.  Today!!