Holding Hands

“Mom, Dad, come quick!  Gloria fell!  She’s on the sidewalk and can’t get up!  She’s bleeding!”  Breathless from running, Grace provided us with the details of what had suddenly transpired with her sister.  We’d only just arrived at the pool and the girls wanted to go on ahead of us while my husband and I gathered our gear from the car.  Excitedly, both girls took off toward the gate, the younger one trying desperately to keep up with the older one.  Unfortunately, uneven concrete and new flip flops turned out to be a painful combination for my little one when she stumbled and fell face-first on the hard and unforgiving pavement.

“For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again…” Proverbs 24:16

From an outsider’s perspective, this might just seem like any ordinary childhood accident.  And honestly it was.  But my four year old seems to have had countless mishaps, numerous falls in her early life, more than I ever recall my seven year old having at this age.  Lots of bumps.  Lots of bruises.  Lots of scrapes.  Lots of scratches.  More than enough to cause this mama to worry.

In an effort to protect her and to prevent future accidents, I find myself constantly reiterating these words to her:  “Be careful.”  “Watch your step.”  “Too fast.”  “Slow down, please.”  “Look carefully at where you’re going.”

When she does fall down and if the injury is minor, Gloria tries to reassure me by jumping up, brushing herself off and saying in her sweet sing-song voice, “I’m oka-a-a-ay!”  If the injury is more major, tears are shed, kisses are given, and the “Boo-Boo Bunny” makes his recurrent appearance from the freezer.  Band-Aids are applied and some much-needed T. L. C. (tender loving care) is freely lavished upon the one in pain.

“I, the LORD,… will take hold of your hand…” Isaiah 42:6

But the best and most proactive thing I’ve discovered I can do with my little girl when we’re walking down the street, navigating through a parking lot, or making our way through a building is to reach down and take hold of her hand.  In that instant, when her small, delicate fingers are intertwined with mine, I don’t fear her falling.  I don’t worry about her getting hurt.  She’s secure in my grasp.  She is safe.  There still might be times when she’ll trip over something she doesn’t see in her path or even her own two feet, but she won’t fall down—not while my larger, stronger hand is holding onto hers.  Not when I’m guiding her.  Not when I’m there to catch her, steady her, and help her to stand firm on solid ground.

“If the LORD delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

In those precious moments, I sense God, kind and tender in all His ways, showing me that in this life, Gloria may stumble.  On her own, she may trip and she may fall down.  She may get hurt.  She may have wounds.  But if she will stay in the strong and secure grasp of her Heavenly Father, walking with Him all the days of her life and letting Him lead her, her stumbles will be fewer and her falls less painful.

Ultimately, I’m learning it’s not how many times we fall down, but how many times we get back up.  The good news is that we have a Father who picks us up, brushes us off, and places the healing salve of His love and forgiveness upon us.  Many times, if the wounds are too great, He carries us before we’re ready to stand firm again.  We should not be afraid.  Not for ourselves or our children.  He is always with us, giving us the strength we need for the moment.  And most importantly, holding our hand as we walk along the path He’s set before us.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10