The Loving Hand of the Father

‘Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.’ (1 Peter 5:6)

God can bring into remembrance the things that happened in our childhood. Sometimes He does this because we need healing, sometimes to comfort and encourage us because what happened in the past in our childhood may point to God’s care and providence in the present and the future.

When Corrie is 6 years old, she has to go to school for the first time in her life. Her siblings: Betsie, Willem and Nollie will take their little sister with them. But breakfast is a bit delayed, they are in a hurry and forget to take Corrie with them. Her mother says: ’Corrie hurry, otherwise you have to go all by yourself’. But Corrie replies very firmly: “I’m not going!” The world of school is too frightening, a harder and more difficult world than staying home in the safety of her mother’s and aunt Anna’s care. The adults are in turmoil. But then father speaks with a calm voice: “Of course, Corrie is not going all by herself. Corrie will go with me.” He takes her small hand in his safe hand and takes her downstairs — her hand in her father’s hand. It is 5 steps down the winding stairs to the front door, but Corrie holds the banister as tight as she can. She’s determined not to go to school. Then father puts his other hand on Corrie’s hand and gently loosens her hand off the banister. Even though she cries and struggles, he leads her with a strong hand and guides her from her well known and safe world to the unknown world of school.

Later, much later, when she’s grown up, she’s again taken to a place against her will and imprisoned during the Second World War. She has to go through a dark, frightening and insecure time. But then there is the hand of her heavenly Father, Who gently leads her and holds her and goes with her. He will not let her go alone.

To Reflect upon:
Psalm 23 testifies of the Good Shepherd Who guides us gently and with love to the green pastures and quiet waters. But also guides us and comforts us when we have to go through the dark valley.

Prayer:
Lord take both my hands, and lead and guide me through the dark valley. I cannot walk alone and need You beside me. Amen.