I was at the car wash and noticed a little girl trying to avoid holding her daddy’s hand as they prepared to walk to their awaiting car. They had to cross through a dangerous area, where cars were being backed up, parked, and otherwise maneuvered. The little girl was shorter than the trunk height of a car and could have easily been struck. The daddy knew that.
As they prepared to leave, without a word, the father extended his hand downward as if to say, “Take Daddy’s hand”. I had seen this gesture many times as a child with my own father, and used it with my daughter. No words were needed, it was time to take Daddy’s hand.
The little girl was clutching a stuffed animal, clearly important to her, and most likely given to her by her father. As she moved her hand behind her back to avoid his, she dropped her toy. He bent to pick it up and gave it back to her, and again reached for her hand. As she continued to avoid his hand, he gently gathered her free hand and held onto it and safely escorted her to their car. Once he had her, she stopped fighting and allowed him to lead.
I was struck by how persistent they both were. She was determined to walk through the danger by herself, and he was determined to hold her hand, keeping her from harm. When it was all said and done, it was not about her holding his hand as much as it was about him holding hers. What a beautiful picture of the love of a father.
I was moved to examine my own interaction with my Heavenly Father as He tries to get a hold of my hand when He recognizes I am about to go through a hazardous season. I wondered how often I am so interested in holding onto something He gave me, that I refuse to take my Daddy’s hand. How many times have I dropped His gifts, only to have Him pick them up and give them back to me…and then give me the signal to take Daddy’s hand?
Why do we insist that we are big enough or know enough to navigate without holding Daddy’s hand? And oh how He loves us, reaching down and taking our hand, holding us safe and secure as He escorts us through dangerous times and around obstacles. But, like the little girl, we must be willing to stop resisting and allow Him to lead us.
How many times have we looked away, or hid our hands, as if we do not recognize our Daddy’s gesture? Why do we interpret His request as a personal weakness or sign of dependence? Just because we see some of the hazards and are confident we can avoid them, does not mean we see all the danger, for we do not enjoy his perspective and knowledge.
Are we willing to take Daddy’s hand? Will we allow Him to lead us and guide us through the difficult seasons of our lives? Can we remember that the gifts He gives us, to remind us of His love for us, were never meant to replace Him? As a child, I can’t remember a time when I lifted my hand towards my father, when he EVER did not reach down to me. Once He had my hand, I knew I could walk in confidence because I knew He would not let any danger get near me.
I lift my hand now Heavenly Father, I am looking to you to lead me, I declare I am once again ready…to take Daddy’s hand.
Everyday God... 