Hand Holding
By Becky Hunter
I read this anonymous little anecdote printed on a homemade flyer that was left in my grocery cart by an earlier customer:
Every Sunday in church a gray-haired couple sat holding hands just like newlyweds.
Arriving before the worship service and seated beside the wife, a parishioner remarked to the woman how wonderful it was that she and her husband were still so much in love.
The wife replied through a smile, “Oh, I just hold Harold’s hand to keep him from cracking his knuckles.”
Granted, this is pretty funny. And not to give you emotional whiplash, but moving beyond the humor, how many of us are holding our husbands’ hands in order to restrain them rather than encourage them?
You and I are married to men who are called to serve the Lord in full time ministry and there is some challenge but also great privilege in holding their hands for the purpose of furthering God’s Kingdom. We get to help our husbands “bring up there, down here.”
Close enough to actually be able to hold his hand and to partner with him in the vision God has placed on his heart, a wife is also close enough to hold him back, to restrain him from doing anything that might be annoying, risky or heaven forbid, embarrassing.
The solution to wrong-motive hand holding is not to quit holding hands; it is to squeeze even tighter and whisper in his ear, “I’m so proud of you!”
I’ll be praying for you as you sit down in your worship service this weekend. Please pray for pastors’ wives around the world and hold your husband’s hand while you do.
Blessings,
Becky Hunter
Reflect on the strength of HIS hand: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10 |
