Do you remember it? His hand brushed up against yours, and you knew it was about to happen—your date was about to hold your hand. As his fingers intertwined with yours, a new degree of trust, security, and sincerity was displayed. It was as though in taking your hand, there was an added level of certainty to the relationship. It was an indication that things were moving forward—that your trust was safe.

I recently snapped this photo while I was holding hands with my father at his bedside one evening. His end-stage Parkinson’s kept his hands busy that night as he tried to get out of the bed to which he is confined. Yet, when I took his hand, he gently wrapped the other around mine, and he became calm. He knew someone was there. He knew he was going to be safe, and he knew that he wasn’t alone.

I’m here for you. I love you. Stick with me. I’ll protect you. Let me show you the way. I like being with you. I’m near. These are only a few of the implied meanings from the simple act of holding hands.

Isaiah 41:13 has become one of our favorite verses in these days of counting breaths and treasuring those that are counted:

“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.'”

The security, joy, safety, and comfort that come from an almighty God telling me that our relationship is secure, that I’m not alone, and that I can find safety with Him because He is holding my hand causes me to reach out my hand to Him in faith, longing for and anticipating the help He has promised.

Reach out your hand to Him, sweet reader-friend. He is there.

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Petals from the Basket: Devotional Thoughts for Women