Take My Hand Precious Lord
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
When my way grows drear
Precious Lord linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
When I was a child I remember anytime I was afraid or alone someone
would hold my hand. Coming from a large
family it could’ve been anyone; mom, dad, brother, sister, lots to choose from. The feeling you get from just the
entanglement of fingers is so overwhelming there are almost no words for
it. Safety. Comfort.
Love. Security. Those are all emotions we all have felt at
one time or another. I also remember holding
hands the first time with Danny. Different
emotions…scared, nervous, sweaty…actually I felt nauseous but it quickly
resolved to familiar! When my kids were
little I held their hands out of a need to keep them safe and to hold on to
them. As they grew older they would search
out my hand to hold when they were scared or frightened, lonely or needed comforting. When we have our family get together we make
a circle and hold hands. We take the
hand of the one beside us, give it a squeeze, and offer up our thanks to God
for allowing us to be together! When we
are at church we often have prayer, special prayer, and we gather in a circle
and hold hands. We entangle not only our
fingers with one another but also our hearts and lives. We are telling that one beside of us that we
have the time to get involved in their life to offer up a prayer, sacrificing a
little time and a little piece of our heart.
I remember when I had the kids I had to have C-sections, all
three. Of course with a spinal you are
numb from the waist down and pretty much the whole trunk up to the arms. My arms were strapped down and all I could
feel were my fingers. On a stool sitting
beside me was Danny. He couldn’t do much
but he did hold my hand. How I wish I
had a picture of his hands now! Just the
feel of his hand to mine calmed the anxious feeling in my chest better than any
medicine they gave me. It also told my
brain that we could handle everything no matter what it was. When he squeezed my fingers it brought me
back to reality that life is amazing, wonderful, scary and unpredictable. But above
all else life was full of love and you can feel it all with your fingertips. All of those nerves at the end of your
fingertips goes to everywhere else in your being, your heart, head and soul.
I remember the moment each of my children looked at me and
reached out with their tiny hands to grab that one finger, what an amazing
feeling. It went all the way to the
core, my heart and soul. The first time
was no different from the third time. I
was in awe! I think about my mom, I was number
11! I know she thought I was just as
special as the first all because she had never met ME! God had created me just for her! God wires mothers extra special I think
because we have an extra special job for 9 months we have a connection and
special bond like no other!
But just as that touch of the hand is so overwhelming in
birth and life, so it is in death as well.
I have sat by so many bedsides and held the hands of many as their last
breath was taken. Held the hand of the
one I loved for 30 years until it was cold, Held the ones that gave me life…as
they completed their race. I thank God
that I have not had to hold the hand of my child in death…but I know many that
have. We will all go through many trials
in life and death, that’s promised to us.
But it is also promised to us that God will be there with us and not
give us more than we can handle.
13 Every test that you have experienced is the kind that
normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you
to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the
test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way
out
There is just something about the touch and feel of a
hand. It speaks volumes. I didn’t realize it until today that this
Mothers Day is the 100th anniversary of Mothers Day! We have been celebrating mothers around the
world for 100 years…officially.
Think how Mary felt 2000 years ago when she looked into the
face of her newborn baby and she reached out to take his tiny hand. Those same hands that played in the dirt with
other kids, then the hands that performed miracles like they were nothing. The same hands that were nailed to the cross
for you and me!
Life is not guaranteed but death is. If you are blessed with a mother here on
earth, and I do mean blessed, go tell her you love her. Hold her hand, hug her neck, and kiss her
cheek! Or if you have a special woman in
your life that has been a great influence, tell her. The mother of your children? Tell her what a great Mom she is. Because I’m here to tell you, being a mom is
a hard job. It should come with hazard
pay. But it also has the greatest of rewards.
All at the touch of a hand… tip of the fingers! Hold hands with someone tomorrow and if your
mom is in heaven…think of her! I know I
will!
Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV)
10 A
wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full
confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not
harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant
ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is
still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and
buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work
vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading
is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the
distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the
poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no
fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for
her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected
at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments
and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with
strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the
affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and
call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble
things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and
beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her
hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.