After taking our daughter to the hospital's emergency room five times this week, starting physical therapy for my shoulder, dealing with a nationwide shortage of my daily medication that left even my doctor not knowing what to do, and injections in both of my wrists (for carpal tunnel), I think it's fair to say it's been a rough week. Lack of sleep, stress and juggling the unexpected have left my brain in tilt-a-whirl mode.
(I won't even mention my daughter starting high school on Monday, her fish dying on Tuesday, the pump for our well breaking on Wednesday, and a wicked little bug getting stuck in my eye for 12 hours on Thursday.)
I found myself feeling needy. Very needy.
So, I reached out my hand into the empty air next to me and simply said, "Jesus, please hold my hand."
I needed to feel His hand in mine this week. Because truly, when I'm at the end of my rope, a knot at the bottom just isn't good enough. I need a strong hand holding mine. I need His powerful hand gripping my fingers, walking with me when I'm heading where I don't want to go.
And if anyone knows about walking toward a place you'd rather not go, it's Jesus. His walk to the cross was painful, agonizing, cruel. He understands painful, hard walks.
Psalm 139:2b says, "You understands my thought afar off." I like that. There's something precious and deeply satisfying about feeling understood.
But mostly, I like the comfort of holding hands. Because it means I'm not alone.
Are you experiencing one of those weeks, too? Just reach out your hand--Jesus longs to grip it in His.
Psalm 139:2b says, "You understands my thought afar off." I like that. There's something precious and deeply satisfying about feeling understood.
But mostly, I like the comfort of holding hands. Because it means I'm not alone.
Are you experiencing one of those weeks, too? Just reach out your hand--Jesus longs to grip it in His.
Update: Our daughter was finally admitted to the hospital - she stayed 4 days, recovering from Serum Sickness (an acute hypersensitivity reaction to antibiotics). It's been an exhausting week, but we're so grateful she is now home, where she continues to recuperate. If you breathed a prayer on her behalf, please accept my deepest thanks!
26 comments:
I'm praying for you and your daughter, Julie! I love the visual of holding Jesus' hand.
Julie, this blessed me! Thanks for writing it.
Melanie@Bella~Mella
I loved this Julie! Thank you for sharing.
Praying for your daughter. Please pray for Sonya (Truth4theJourney) this week too. Her father unexpectedly died Saturday.
I will tell her to reach for Jesus' hand too.
Amen... this last week, I needed to hold His hand big time, rather than holding onto the knot of that rope. Finally the stress caught up with me at a friends house on thursday, and I lost it as she prayed with/for me.
After some much needed crying, and time in His lap, I was ready to face the rest of my day and week.
You are in my prayers!
God bless,
Heather
Thank you, this was a good reminder for me!
Yes Lord!
I wrote a post for another blog about my mom's hands for the exact reasons you mentioned. I just wanted to hold her hand last week. I cannot wait to hold Jesus' hands. I am praying for your daughter.
~ Wendy
He wants to hold your hand too. I pray for your daughter's health, your medicine and protection against all the attacks being launched at you. Keep your shield in the upright position. B
I've followed your tweets this week, Julie and can honestly agree with you that you've had a horrible week! It's definitely been one of those weeks where you need Jesus to hold your hand--maybe even carry you at times!
I'm so so sorry for your week:( I pray your daughter is better now. ANd I love what you said about needing a hand to hold. I needed to reach out and hold his this past week and will again this week too.
Yes, Jesus does know our struggles, doesn't He? I am so sorry for the valley you are walking through with all your family's health problems. I know you all will come out stronger on the other side and that Jesus will walk you all the way through.
Praying!!
I needed to read this today!
Thanks, Julie.
Glad to hear your daughter is doing better...praying that you are too. What a week! So thankful God was there holding your hand. What would we do without him?!?!
What a week!
I will be praying for you and your daughter! Prayerfully, next week will be better!
Oh, Julie, my heart hurts for all you've been through. Your strong faith gives me courage to press on.
It's so easy to praise God's goodness when the sun is shining and life is peaceful, but what about when the storms gather and the waves crash? During those times Jesus is the only one who can take our hands and get us through.
I thank God that your daughter is on the mend. But, what a battle it's been!
I'm praying for you all.
Praying for continued good health, for hope and healing for your family:-)
Thinking of you and your daughter. Hope all is well. B
Quite a week, indeed!
But God was with you through it all, holding your hand and loving you. I love the picture you painted of sitting there holding your hand up to Him. And I trust He loved that moment, too!
Came across this verse yesterday :
Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Psalm 86:1
Yep. That's me. So glad Jesus will hold my hand!
And I'm glad things are looking up for your daughter!
Oh sweet Julie, you brought me to tears. What a month you've had! I love your heart, how you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ and giving Him the glory for getting you through...remember Cheri Keaggy's Grindstone song?
"I've been living against the grindstone,
where nothing is sure but the Lord.
For He gives us the treasures of darkness,
where faith's greatest riches are stored.
And in ways that are quite unexpected,
I've learned a most humbling truth:
That a faith that has never been tested
is just growth that is long overdue."
One of my fav songs EVER, and it sounds like your story. Much love & prayer, my friend.
So glad your daughter is doing better. Grea post, very encouraging!
Julie, so glad to hear that your daughter is home and doing better. Have been praying as I've seen your FB updates. You are due for a good week next week! Be blessed!
I just joined to follow your blog. I am a good friend of Mary's at Divinely Designed. After reading your post today I know it was no mistake I came here. I have been praying for a dear friend going through many struggles. Would you please visit her blog at: http://seaglassreflections.blogspot.com and read the post called, "Help Please." She is in desperate need of prayer. Please join many of us in storming the heavens on her behalf.
THANK YOU!
Blessings and prayers, andrea
Julie! This is my first visit to your site and I praise God for your voice in speaking God's truth into the realities and struggles of life. What blessed assurance to know that He is always there for us, reaching out to us to simply take hold of His strength, wisdom and comfort.
It was a delight and blessing to meet you at She Speaks! I'm going to sign up for Word Chicks now!
I just recieved your Work Chicks Newlsetter in my inbox and was stopping to say "Thank You!"...and as I read this post it all lines up for me...you my friend are able to speak for Jesus and bring encouaragement..because you truly stand,sit,kneel,lay your head on His shoulder and hold His hand!
Praying that you continue to hold on tight to His hand...and know He's got you!
Julie, I hope things have improved for you and your whole family since you wrote this post. That's quite a lot to deal with!
Recently, God gave me my scripture for this particular season of life and I think you might like it too. Check out Isaiah 41:13.
Oh my goodness Julie, you certainly had quite a week. I am praying over you and your family now.
I have reached out my hands to Jesus before and asked Him to take hold like that too. This is a great message.
Rich blessings to you!
Julie,
Lately, I've been needing for Him to hold my hand.
It seemed like I couldn't find Him.
Like I wasn't close enough. Or something.
Some weeks are like that. I wish that they weren't.
And then I got up early Sunday morning to read His words to me.
And to write His words back to Him as an offering of prayer. Of praise. Of thanksgiving. Of worship.
And guess what?
Yes, He met me right where I was.
And we held hands for a long time.
Thank you for sharing your heart.
Sweet dreams.
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