A Hand in Mine

Another throw back blog from Seth’s baby years. ❤️

Our beautiful little boy is a lover of the great outdoors. Being outside is his favorite! He enjoys waving to each car that drives by, finding colorful flowers, seeing Papa’s cows.

But he is also is very independent. He wants to run and run and he isn’t very keen on having help. I had dreams of his little hand in mine while we went exploring, but the first time I tried to do that he did his best to wriggle away.

Yet, my husband and I kept gently but firmly grabbing his hand when we’d go outside, because sticking close to mommy or daddy is important when you’re little. Over a few weeks, he had finally learned that when we go walking or near the cow fence, he must hold my hand.

When we’re well away from the road or when he wants to play with his water table, we let him be a “big boy” and do a few things on his own. But most of the time when we’re outdoors, he’s by my side, hand in mine.

Recently, he’s changed from holding my hand out of necessity, to holding it gladly. Just today he reached for me and curled his tiny fingers around my hand. As someone who wondered if we’d ever have kids here, the feeling of that hand grabbing mine is an answer to so many prayers. That feeling made me smile with gratitude as we walked down the driveway, hand in hand.

These hand holding experiences remind me of me. God guides me every day. His Word and the Holy Spirit help me live a life that pleases Him. But just like a little kid, sometimes I don’t want to do the right thing, because it’s usually more difficult and time consuming. Sometimes sin tempts me to wriggle away, and God lovingly, patiently shows me that isn’t best. Other times I simply get busy and forget I need to place my hand in God’s.

Yet as I’m growing, just like Seth, I’ve learned that the best place I can be is in God’s hands. I reach for Him gladly, and rejoice in knowing that when I stumble and fall, He will not let me go.

He reaches for me; I reach for Him. Independence seems a small thing to lose in exchange for the safety of knowing He is looking out for me.

He is my Heavenly Father, and He is kind. I see that kindness in the small fingers of my son when they squeeze my hand tightly, and I squeeze his back.

I’m thankful for that beautiful picture of a parent’s care for their child. I have the opportunity to display my love and care for my son, and to point out all the ways God has displayed His love and care for us.

That’s one of the sweetest privileges I know. I pray I do it well.

© Grace Baeten 2022