God has a way of speaking to us when we least expect it, and often it is through the simple joys of everyday life. One day, my grown daughter and I were on our weekly shopping trip together, along with my rather precocious grandson, Steele, who was 2 years old at the time (he is currently 9). After much resistance to the confinement of riding in the shopping cart, he had finally managed to talk his way out, promising to hold onto his mother’s hand.
Predictably, his pledge was short-lived as he squirmed free from her grasp. When she reached out for him, he pulled away and stated defiantly, “I can hold my own hand!” Then, he proceeded to clasp both his hands together while walking on ahead of us.

It was quite comical, and we had a good laugh. But as the day went on, I kept picturing him holding his own hands, and I knew that there was a lesson to be learned from his cute, but naive independence.
Do we sometimes say to the Lord, “Thanks, but I can hold my own hand? I’ve got this covered!” Do we walk self-reliantly away from the safety of our Father’s outstretched hand?
There is no telling where my grandson would have ended up had my daughter eventually not grabbed hold of his hand, despite his protests. He needed guidance, just like we all need guidance.
I cannot count the times that my heavenly Father has rescued me from myself — and from my own bad sense of direction! I love the words of Psalm 73:23: “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.”
And then in Psalm 16:8: “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”
Our God is a loving and attentive Father who knows us better than we know ourselves. He is for us; He is on our side. Keeping this in mind, may we cling tightly to His hand. And may we always remember that nothing good comes from holding our own hand!
I wrote a poem to convey this important reminder:
“Hold My Hand, Lord”
Hold my hand, Lord, don’t let go, though I tug and pull away,
For I know that I’m a child who is prone to go astray.
Tighten your grip and guide me in the way that I should go.
Please hold me close, protect me from every evil foe.
On my own, I’m easy prey to this world’s endless charm;
This child needs a Father’s love to shelter her from harm.
May Your hand, so big and strong, fold round my tiny hand,
And lead me by Your tender grasp to that dear promised land!
Pictured top: Amy Troy (center), with many of her grandchildren, including Steele, now age 9, (front row, far right).