the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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Daily Devotionals
Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life
A week ago today my wife and I were walking on the beach at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We like to hold hands. (As Professor Andy Dale used to say, that's one less free hand they can hit you with) As we walked the beach we held hands and waded in and out of the surf as the waves came in and lapped at the shoreline. Then we saw her.
She was walking rather briskly down the beach towards us. Her eyes were intently fixed on us. She was smiling as she came toward us. She stopped us there on the beach and told us that it was good to see an older couple walking and holding hands. "I lost my husband three months ago," she said, "and would love to hold his hand right now. Hold on tight and don't ever let go. You never know when that hand won't be there."
We have a lovely couple in our church, John and Hazel Vickers, who met each other late in life. Both are 70ish. Wherever they go they hold hands. It is a beautiful thing to see. Even just walking from the church building to their car following services they hold hands. Holding hands is something that a lot of people take for granted. After my wife and I had our Friday evening walk on the beach, and now reflecting on John and Hazel, I'll never take it for granted again.
So, how's your relationship with God? Do you and He have beaches you walk together? Even if it is just a short trip to the market do you include God? Believe it or not, God likes holding hands with us. He likes the personal contact He can have with us. You might ask how we can know that God is there holding our hand? Very simple; through prayer.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything gives thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 Prayer doesn't make sure that God is holding our hand. It makes sure that we are willing to reach out and take His. It refreshes the relationship on a daily basis. It reminds us that we don't walk the beach alone even if we seem to be alone.
'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' Copyright 2010 © Tom Kelley. 'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each story, along with their complete bio and a link to https://www.studylight.org/ 2) 'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' content may not be arranged or "mirrored" as a competitive online service.
