When my son Ben was 10, we moved into a townhome that was a little remote from the closest convenience store. When the weather was nice, he and I would walk about a mile or so to a 7 Eleven for Slurpee’s. As soon as the walk began, he would grab my hand and we would walk that way, his hand in mine, all the way there. I am smiling right now, and teary-eyed over the sight of it. My Lily has just walked over to me with her cd player, loaded with a song that she loves by Hootie and the Blowfish, called Hold My Hand. “Go ahead, Love.”
“With a little Love and some Tenderness, we’ll walk upon the water. We’ll rise above this mess. . .We’ll take the world together. We’ll take em by the hand. Cause I’ve got a hand for you. I’ve got a hand for you. . .Hold My hand.”
I don’t remember one occasion when my father held my hand. I used to believe that life had handicapped me from being able to desire and engage in meaningful experiences like the one that I had with Ben. . .until the big ears of this Dumbo sheep heard this song from Him Who Loves me.
“The floors shall be full of wheat and the wine vat will overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years the locust had eaten, those experiences in life that you were taken from you. . .and you shall eat until you are full and be satisfied. The Lord your God has dealt wondrously with you.”
Sometimes while we were walking along and he would be telling me about school or things he liked, he would trip over something on the sidewalk and I would hold him up, and he would fly for a moment in my hand. Then he would deliberately jump and soar over imaginary bumps in the road, and we would laugh. He had become so confident that no matter what, I would hold him securely and keep him from harm. He trusted my strength and my love to him.
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord and He delights in His son’s ways. When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; for the Lord is the One Who holds his hand.” Proverbs 4:12. The Lilies of His field hear, “established” and their Fragrance fills the air with the scent of Heaven.
In the Hebrew language of the Old Testament, the word established means: to set up; make certain; make prosperous; 
fashion; ordain (predestine); to perfect; to provide; make provision.
In eternity past, before time, when only God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit existed, all of the sheep. . . every dumbo, every Lily, every fireman and sailor, all the donkeys and glowworms. . .and every soaring eagle, were known and loved. . .and yes, existed in the very heart of God. He was “pregnant” so to speak with His seed and their entire lives were already planned. He was holding them by the hand then.
The Father arranges everything for His little lambs. When He gives birth to them in time, He continues to hold them securely to His perfect, predestined plan for them. His Son, Who has never let go of His grip on them, secures their inheritance, secures their release from prison and death, secures their obedience by being the Obedient One for them. God’s Spirit is always keeping their eyes and ears open, teaching them the Truth, quickening them (making them Alive and nourishing them with the very Life of Christ).
No matter what life has robbed you of that has made you poor, He has made you Rich. He will repay you for the years the locust has eaten. He will fill you with Himself. He will fill you with His Son. He will fill you with His Spirit. Good news for the stumbling Dumbo sheep. Great news for the wilting little Lilies. Grand News for the tired and weary eagles. Unbelievable news to the drowning sailors. News of rescue to the firemen walking through the blaze. The glowworms are Aglow with the sound of the Divine Music in their ears.
“With a little Love and some Tenderness, We’ll walk upon the water. We’ll rise above this mess. . .cause I’ve got a hand for you, I’ve got the Hand for you. I am your Refuge and Strength. A very Present Hand when you are in trouble. I will never leave you or forsake you. I will not in any way fail you or give you up, or leave you without support. I will never relax My hold on you.”
We always hold hands at the end of each meeting and recite the Lord’s prayer. “Thy will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven. . .and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power, and the Glory, Forever”. And all of God’s sheep said, “Amen”.
The Divine Hand of Love. Freely Given. Freely Received. Free, Love. Slurpees for everyone!
A Good Moment 