(first published at openears.org.uk)
A girl walked along, carrying a big bag, and a coat, and various other things. She shifted her load
onto her right arm, and reached across with her left to take someone’s hand.
This really happened, last week. The girl is my niece, and the ‘someone’ is me.
Usually, when an adult and a child walk together hand in hand, the adult is helping the child.
In this case, my niece was helping me.
I struggle with walking, my gait characterised by a limp, yet I can walk short distances. Aided by a
crutch in my left hand, I don’t do too badly. Add a supportive hand or arm to my right, and I do even
less badly.
I looked down when my niece’s hand slipped into mine, saw all that she was carrying, and said,
“Wow! You’re doing well to manage all that stuff and me as well!”
She looked up at me, and said, earnestly:
“I can always manage you.”
(It’s true, she’s wonderful.)
I can always manage you.
Did you know that we have a God who says the same thing to us?
Maybe we feel that our problems are too much for Him,
or our feelings are too much for Him,
or our struggles are too much for Him,
or we are too much for Him….
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
(Psalm 139)
Imagine Him, the One who knows everything about you and your life, who knows exactly where you
are right now, taking hold of your hand and looking down at you, saying,
My child, I can always manage you.
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)