Hold Me Tight

There’s a song I like by Rich Mullins that says, “Hold me, Jesus, cause I’m shaking like a leaf.” I’ve always been fearful of many things: strangers, weather and the unknown. But I’m learning to trust in Jesus because when I fall down there is always someone to pick me up. And not a someone who just happens to be there, but a someone who loves me and controls the events in my world.

The other day my little grandson visited my office full of strangers, at least to him. All the time he was meeting new people and talking to them, he was holding tight to my hand. By his voice and his answers to questions he sounded at ease and like he was having fun. But the grip on my hand suggested otherwise. He was stronger because he had someone who loved him to hold onto- someone he trusted and knew to be there no matter what happened in the middle of these strangers.

I want to be like that with God. I want to hold on tight, trusting Him in every step to be there with me. I want this trust to cause me to obey Him with abandonment and joy.

With the abandonment of the little child who takes a hold of my hand not having any idea where I am going to lead him, but talking excitedly the whole way and looking forward to whatever happens next, because he trusts me to lead him to a good place.

With the joy of the trusting little boy who climbs into my lap and rests there completely, full of joy and delight in this secure place where we laugh, talk, read and pray together. He watches out the window when he knows that I am coming. When he sees me after a few days’ absence he smiles and runs to meet me for a hug. I want always to have this anticipation for my Father.

Like Moses in the wilderness, I want to trust in the Presence who goes before me. I want to learn from the Israelites and stay away from the paths of idolatry and selfishness. I want to trust in the Father who cares for us, holding on tight even though I’m usually “shaking like a leaf.”

“Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them…My people are bent on turning away from me… My compassion grows warm and tender…I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely; for my anger has turned from them. I will be like a dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon…O Ephraim what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you…Whoever is wise , let him understand these things;… for the ways of the Lord are right.” From Hosea, ESV

“For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” Psalm 107:9, ESV