take hold of his hand
Recently, as I’ve worked through several transitions, I’ve reminisced about the many changes that have taken place in my life, especially the long process of joining SEND as missionaries in 2004 and then leaving for Alaska.
We faced an overwhelming number of pieces that had to fit together before we left: selling our house, shipping our household goods, raising support, Steven leaving his job, selling my children’s art studio, completing our training in MI, preparing to homeschool, saying goodbye to friends and family.
Some days were a challenge and caused us to ask, What are we doing? Did we hear this right?
I remember the anxiety of looking at this complex 1000-piece puzzle and thinking that there were just too many complicated parts - that a full picture could never and would never actually emerge.
Except that it did.
One by one, piece by piece, the loose ends slowly wrapped up as the picture of our new life took shape.
There was hardly ever another ordinary, calm day; but we got used to this, too.
Sometimes anxiety caused me to lose focus and wander away, but God would find me, take my hand and bring me back, showing me each next right step. He walked alongside us bit by bit, degree by degree…piece by piece.
It is often in reflecting on God’s faithfulness in the past that we find courage to stay the course in the present.
We discover that the God of our past is also the God abiding with us now. We can trust Him - openhandedly receiving what He’s doing in our present situation. And we can trust that He’s setting out stepping stones for the future, too.
He’s forever showing us each next right step.
I will instruct you and show you the way to go;
with my eye on you, I will give counsel.
Psalm 32:8 CSB
He proves His faithfulness over and over. His steadfast love and compassion and guidance have not and will not fail.
So if you find yourself in the midst of a transition today and the scattered pieces of your puzzle look overwhelmingly complicated and unfamiliar, think back on all that you’ve been through. Look for your Father’s hand holding yours.
He was there all along.
Take hold of His hand again . . . and rest assured today, as you step into the future together.
Today is a GOOD day!
Natalie