“Jesus took her by the hand and said, ‘My child, get up!'”
Luke 8:54
“Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me,
I took courage and gathered…”
Ezra 7:28
[Early July 2008]
Jim and I held hands tightly as he lay on the surgical stretcher in the hospital surgical preparatory room. His was not a serious or life-threatening procedure, rather just a removal by a plastic surgeon of a large unwanted and unsightly growth on his upper lip. However, he was going to be “put under” for the procedure, and I think any medical issues tend to put life’s precious priorities and blessings into focus very quickly.
We prayed together as we held hands. The surgical assistants stood by patiently and respectfully as Jim and I went to His throne room of grace together. Tears trickled down my face as I kissed his face and they wheeled him away.
Thanking the Lord that I was the one who was privileged to be Jim’s wife through life, I made my way to the waiting room and hunkered down to work on my Bible study. Before I knew it, the waiting room phone rang with a voice at the other end telling me I could come and sit with Jim in the recovery room. His lip looked perfect and they were preparing to release him.
I walked out to our car to pull it up to the hospital entrance so I could pick Jim up there after the nurse routinely escorted him via wheelchair. As I touched the car door handle with my hand, I thought about the sweet blessing it was to hold Jim’s hand before surgery. Healthy and loving hand holding.
At that exact moment, God lovingly whispered a clear message on my heart. “Sharon, you have been doing some unhealthy hand-holding in your life. You are trying to please [a person]. You have been wanting their approval on what I am leading you to do. No more unhealthy hand-holding. Let’s have only holy hand-holding. Just obey Me completely. Trust Me unwaveringly. Follow Me humbly. Honor Me quietly. Look to Me only. Keep your eyes fixed on Me. I will take care of everything else.” “…what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.” Matthew 10:27
Wow! He was right. And for weeks before this whispering from the Lord, He had been giving me scripture after scripture during my quiet time about His mighty right hand. He was gracious to make this crystal clear to me now. I was looking for approval from someone. I wanted unhealthy hand-holding. As I sat in my car, I bowed my head and heart before Him. While Jim was having an unwanted growth removed from his lip, I was having an unwanted growth removed from my heart. I confessed my sin to the Lord and asked for His forgiveness. I thanked Him for exposing this “ugly” to me gently, lovingly and faithfully. I promised to seek only holy, healthy hand holding from that point forward. I promised to keep my eyes on Him alone, not on any person. “How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?” John 5:44
Since that day, God has taken me on the most precious and deep journey of faith, trust and obedience. He has taken me step-by-step on this journey. I don’t want to move one toe unless He tells me to. I want to follow Him, to hold HIS mighty right hand. If He says “Go”, I want to go. If He says “Wait”, I want to wait. If He says “Stop”, I want to stop. He’s holding my hand faithfully and I am not letting go! Hand in hand, He is establishing the work of my hands. (Psalm 90:17)
It has not always been easy. It’s actually been very difficult at times. I’ve probably been judged, miscategorized, and misunderstood by some. But as He gives me the grace and wisdom to humbly and quietly follow Him, my heart has always been peaceful knowing that I am holding His hand as He leads me.
What a glorious walk I am enjoying with my Savior. What precious places He has taken me in my relationship with Him. Treasures of His love I savor every day. He’s keeping my eyes fixed on Him alone. He’s holding my hand with His gracious Hand of favor. He’s holding my hand with His mighty right Hand. I am holding His priceless Hand that took the nail for my sin. My Redeemer is holding my hand. The healthiest hand holding ever.
Take His hand and walk where He leads. Keep your eyes on Him alone.
The gracious hand of our God is on everyone
who looks to Him,
but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.”
Ezra 8:22
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” 2 Chronicles 20:12
May the favor of the Lord our God
rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17
“The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;
the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”
Psalm 118″16
Lyrics:
I know there are times your dreams turn to dust
you wonder as you cry
why it has to hurt so much
give Me all your sadness
someday you will know the reason why
a child-like heart simply put your hope in Me
Chorus:take My hand and walk where I lead
keep your eyes on Me alone
don’t you say why were the old days better
just because you’re scared of the unknown
take My hand and walk
don’t live in the past cause yesterday’s gone
wishing memories would last
you’re afraid to carry onyou don’t know what’s comin
‘but you know the One who holds tomorrow
I will be your Guide
take you through the night
if you keep your eyes on Me
take My hand and walk where I lead
keep your eyes on Me alone
don’t you say why were the old days better
just because you’re scared of the unknown
take My hand and walk where I lead
you will never be alone
faith is to be sure of what you hope for
and the evidence of things unseen
so take My hand and walk
just like a child holding daddy’s hand
don’t let go of Mine
you know you can’t stand on your own
Unknown says
Sharon,
What a beautiful post and wonderful testimony of His love for us!
You just glorified God in such a beautiful way!
Thanks for sharing the verses and the story! You are very blessed to have such a loving husband and strong marriage rooted in His truth!
Praising God for you in my life!
Thanks for sharing the song too – very encouraging!
Love you,
Jill
Nana Jul says
WOW..your post spoke measures to me this morning! Thank you for speaking truth!