I do not have very many memories of my Grandfather but I do have one memory that has always remained close to my heart. My Grandfather used to come up behind me and place his hands on my shoulder, he would not say a word. He was not aware of his own strength as he would squeeze my shoulders in his powerful grip for what seemed like an eternity. There was just this period of silence and then He would let go and quietly walk away back to His chair. I don't remember any conversations that we ever had, I don't remember any activities that we shared; He was a man I hardly knew but yet that one memory I have has always solidified His love for me.
God has gripped my shoulders, like a grandfather who does not know His own strength, and yet I feel empowered when all my own power falls to the strength that only He can radiate through me. There is a calmness in being rooted in a strength that is not your own. There is a feeling of love, stability, peace, and understanding that passes through a simple touch. There is a peace when the weight of the world falls back into anothers able hands. When I fall into His stillness and surrender my desire to move, it is then that I truely feel His grip of strength holding me in, drawing me closer to His heart.
Desperate to carry something--to hold onto something--God reaches out His hand and says--"hold on." There is no mistaking the grip of God. I often try to wiggle my way away, I think that I could sometimes go farther if I just let go. Like a child with a parent, I just want that independence to let go and do it on my own. God is faithful in His promise of granting me free-will, and he allows my hand to slip out of His, but He is never far as He watches me run in circles to my own demise.
It is not until I hold on that He can lead me on this journey, that He can guide me into His plan of purpose. He patiently waits, hand held outward as if He never let go, and He asks, "Are you ready now?" Timidly I put my hand out afraid of His embrace, I fear His frustration with my disobedience but time after time He gently takes my hand, holds it tight in His grip and says...."Okay, lets go."
God has gripped my shoulders, like a grandfather who does not know His own strength, and yet I feel empowered when all my own power falls to the strength that only He can radiate through me. There is a calmness in being rooted in a strength that is not your own. There is a feeling of love, stability, peace, and understanding that passes through a simple touch. There is a peace when the weight of the world falls back into anothers able hands. When I fall into His stillness and surrender my desire to move, it is then that I truely feel His grip of strength holding me in, drawing me closer to His heart.
Desperate to carry something--to hold onto something--God reaches out His hand and says--"hold on." There is no mistaking the grip of God. I often try to wiggle my way away, I think that I could sometimes go farther if I just let go. Like a child with a parent, I just want that independence to let go and do it on my own. God is faithful in His promise of granting me free-will, and he allows my hand to slip out of His, but He is never far as He watches me run in circles to my own demise.
It is not until I hold on that He can lead me on this journey, that He can guide me into His plan of purpose. He patiently waits, hand held outward as if He never let go, and He asks, "Are you ready now?" Timidly I put my hand out afraid of His embrace, I fear His frustration with my disobedience but time after time He gently takes my hand, holds it tight in His grip and says...."Okay, lets go."
