The LORD directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the LORD holds them by the hand.
—Psalm 37:23–24 (NLT)
The child looked at the trail that stretched ahead. Rocks and dips marked the sandy path. Puddles from the rain dotted the trail. A tree had fallen in the storm the night before and lay across the way up ahead. A bit fearful but undeterred by the obstacles that lay ahead, the child reached up for Father’s hand, and they set out on the walk together.
Sunbeams cut through the wooded canopy as the pair walked hand in hand, talking and laughing at all sorts of discoveries. Butterflies and bees flitted from flower to flower. A startled chipmunk scurried into hiding. A woodpecker knocked on the trees above looking for food. Father pointed out a doe and her fawn by the stream and smiled when he saw the wonder and delight on his child’s face.
Sometimes the child, distracted by the mysteries of nature, would fail to notice a rock or puddle in the path. Fear crossed the little one’s face with each misstep. But every time, just before falling to the ground, the child felt Father’s firm grip.
He never let go. He caught his little one at every stumble. He even made crossing the path where the tree had fallen possible—not easy, the child had a few scratches and a splinter to show for the effort—but together, they had made it across.
At the end of the day, the child fell into bed exhausted, but also filled with joy. Father had led the way as they walked, and, oh, what wonderful things they had seen together! And just as sleep took hold, Father promised they could set out on another adventure tomorrow. Mentally weighing the dangers and delights of the day’s journey, the sleepy child thought for a moment and then asked, “Will you hold my hand?”
Father smiled and then whispered, “All the way.”
Father, take my hand. Hold me steady. You alone are my hope. Direct my steps. I trust You, Father, to catch me when I stumble over the dangers in my path and the failings in my life. Show me what You want me to see. Lead me where You want me to go.
