When my youngest daughter had a stroke at three years old, initially she couldn’t talk or use the right side of her body. As soon as she was transferred to a hospital room from the ICU, I would sleep with her at night. Since she couldn’t speak, I always held her left hand—the one she could control—and I would say to her, “If you need something, just squeeze my hand, and I will wake up and help you.”

After her speech returned, we continued to hold hands at night, even after we returned home. At bed time she always wanted us to hold her hand during cuddle time. Now, a year and a half after the stroke, she still wants us to hold her hand during cuddle time.

We took her to the dentist yesterday for a cleaning. She was nervous when they sat her in the chair, so she asked me to hold her hand.
I am very much like my daughter. I like God to hold my hand—it makes me feel safe and secure. As I read the many scriptures that describe God taking our hands, I like to picture His strong hand holding mine.

I love how personal God is and how He has blessed us with many images of His care that speak to each heart. Some people adore Him as the King who rules their lives. Others seek Him as their Counselor to help them in times of trouble or their Heavenly Father to give them identity and a sense of belonging. My daughter and I love being held by His strong hand as we navigate a scary world full of surprises. With Him and through Him, we are okay.

We are excited to take news of our beloved, amazing God to the people of Ireland. We want the world to know. Please join us as we introduce Jesus to our brothers and sisters in Ireland so that they, too, can hold His loving hand as they journey through life.

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