His Extended Hand

My husband, Ken, and I decided to celebrate his birthday by spending the weekend in Thermopolis, Wyoming, USA. Thermopolis is Greek for “hot city”—the town is home to many natural mineral hot springs. Ken’s birthday is in February, which often means extremely cold, snowy, and possibly icy conditions.

We looked forward to spending some quality time at the hot springs. We arrived at the Hot Springs State Park before the water park opened for the day.

Rather than wait in the car, we decided to walk around the boardwalk. It is always fun to cross the suspension footbridge, also known as the swinging bridge, and view the Bighorn River and the waterfowl. We walked along briskly in the bracing cool winter air, yet we had not thought about the possibility of coming across ice patches.

Suddenly we both slipped on one.

Thankfully neither of us fell because we caught ourselves in time. After we had steadied ourselves, Ken reached out his hand to me and said, “Let me help you as we walk.” Immediately I grabbed his outstretched hand. We walked hand in hand for quite a while, and I felt more confident once more and eventually let go of Ken’s hand. I felt safe and thought I no longer needed his steadying hand. As you have probably guessed, we came across another patch of ice, which was just as slippery as the first one! Again Ken offered his hand for support, and I gratefully took it. Holding his hand made me feel safe and secure once again. Why had I let go? In that moment I thought of God and His extended hand. “Behold,” writes Isaiah, “the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1, KJV). There have been countless times He has picked me up when I have stumbled.

I am so grateful for His never-ending love.

My prayer for each of us today is that we will never let go of His hand and that we will stay in constant communion with Him.

May we trust Him in every situation—and keep holding His hand.

Gayle Cochran Wright