Grasp

I remember his tiny fingers, all tightly curled around my one; the instinct of infancy, the comfort reflex.

He held on because he didn’t know how not to hold on.
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A year and a few months on, he toddles towards the door excitedly, then daunted by the new faces he retreats – grasps my hand tightly and hides behind my legs.

The fear of the new prompted him to grasp onto the familiar.
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Today he chatters while we play at picnics, relaxing on his Big Bed, sitting on the monkey-patterned blanket, eating invisible food together. He stops, looks deadly serious and takes my hand in his.

“Thank you”, he says. I am flattered, but confused.
“You’re welcome,” I reply.
He takes my hand again, grasps it more firmly.
“Thank you,” he says. “Grace.”
I suddenly make the connection.

“Lord Jesus, thank you for this food and this fun game. Amen.”

I ponder the different ways that my boy has grasped my hand over these few years, the different motivations, but the same feeling of joy and love I have for him each time. Instinct; fear; thankfulness, friendship.

I think of the ways that I grasp onto God and the different motivations I have, and thank God that I not only take hold of God but He takes hold of me.

Over to you:

  • What are the different motivations for grasping hold of God that you have seen in your life?

This was my best five minutes on ‘Grasp’. Also linking with

Beholding Glory

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19 Responses to Grasp

  1. Janice 29th September, 2012 at 4:03 am #

    We just took a long trip and I was in love with the feel off all my kids tiny hands grasping mine. Just loved it. I’m not sure how it’s possible that them holding one little finger of mine can make my whole being happy.

    And to think that God feels the same about me….

    Thanks for this! Blogger stopped giving me your posts for some reason so I’ve got to go catch up! I was stopping by to make sure you were doing ok since I hadn’t seen any posts…

    • Tanya 2nd October, 2012 at 8:06 am #

      I totally know what you mean about the happiness of a child’s hand in yours!

      Naughty Blogger for exercising quality control 🙂 It’s nice to see you back! 🙂

  2. denise 28th September, 2012 at 11:54 pm #

    Really beautiful.

    • Tanya 2nd October, 2012 at 8:05 am #

      Thanks!

    • Tanya 2nd October, 2012 at 3:12 pm #

      Thank you so much.

  3. Alia Joy 28th September, 2012 at 5:20 pm #

    The feeling of that tiny hand tucked into mine is one of the most precious gifts of motherhood and I know God must feel the same way when we grasp His tightly for all of our needs. Love this point of view about the way we reach for Him.

    • Tanya 28th September, 2012 at 5:32 pm #

      Thank you – i feel like you said it just as I wanted to express it. Loved your take on things today – and Happy Birthday 🙂

  4. Laura Rath 28th September, 2012 at 4:29 pm #

    Hi Tanya,
    This is great! I haven’t thought about my motivations for clinging to God like this before. What a wonderful God that He allows us to come to Him no matter what is going on!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Also visiting from Faith Filled Friday.

    Blessings,
    Laura

    • Tanya 28th September, 2012 at 5:32 pm #

      Lovely to connect with you, as always. I’m glad that it made you reflect on the ways we cling to God!

  5. James Prescott 28th September, 2012 at 1:08 pm #

    I would also recommend the film ‘Tree of Life’ – it will give you an insight into God, into wonder and into how the way of grace contrasts with our way of doing things. It’s incredible.

    • Tanya 28th September, 2012 at 5:31 pm #

      thank you!

  6. Stephanie 28th September, 2012 at 12:56 pm #

    “I think of the ways that I grasp onto God and the different motivations I have, and thank God that I not only take hold of God but He takes hold of me.”

    I ended my “Grasp” post very similar. It’s so true, isn’t it? If only like a little child we learn to hold the His hand tighter every step of the way!

    • Tanya 28th September, 2012 at 5:31 pm #

      I LOVED your post. Thanks so much for stopping by here today.

  7. James Prescott 28th September, 2012 at 12:54 pm #

    Thank you so much for sharing this. A simple, intimate and moving post about the Father heart of God. Brilliant.

    • Tanya 28th September, 2012 at 5:30 pm #

      thank you so much for ‘getting’ this! I wasn’t sure if people would.
      Thank you for your encouragement. 🙂

  8. Linda Stoll 28th September, 2012 at 12:50 pm #

    oh my … we’re on the same page today! so much food for thought … thank you!

    • Tanya 28th September, 2012 at 5:29 pm #

      So great that we’re on the same page! I love your take on it too!

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