For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. (Isa. 41:13)
MOTHER NEVER LEARNED TO DRIVE, so everywhere we went, we walked. One of my fondest memories is walking downtown with her to shop for new shoes. My clothes were all hand-me-downs, but not my shoes. Mother believed it was important to be fitted for shoes that would provide needed support and room for my feet to grow.
The walk home in my brand-new shoes didn’t feel as long or boring. I skipped and ran ahead of Mother until I got to a busy street corner. Invariably, a recurring nightmare flashed before me. In my night terror, I fell into the street. A car approached, but I couldn’t get up. I couldn’t even roll over to the curb. What a relief it was when Mother came alongside me, took my hand, and safely led me across the street.
Today, at the intersection of life choices, fear can paralyze me. What if I make the wrong decision? What if I get hit by obstacles I can’t overcome? Mother is now with the Lord. I can’t reach for her hand as I did when I was a little girl, but I can remember all she taught me by word and example. I can choose not to run ahead of the Lord but to wait on Him to take my hand. I can trust Him because I know He loves me.
Ask God to help you keep your hand in His.
Marlene Bagnull celebrated fifty-one years of marriage. She and Paul have three grown children and three grandchildren. She directs two Christian writers’ conferences.
