Hold On Tight

A Proper GripThey were my favorite phy-ed days. No climbing ropes required. No relays necessary. I didn’t have to sweat. I simply had to hold on.

And I was good at it. I could hold that wooden rung with the best of them.

My teacher explained it was to encourage hand strength. I thought it was more of a mind game. For I learned if I didn’t focus on that wooden dowel and how my hands were wrapped around it, I always fell too soon.

Now that I’m older, somewhat wiser, and less physically fit, I know holding on tight takes tremendous strength. And concentration.

I’m not sure when my thoughts shifted. When holding on tight began to show signs of weakness instead of strength. When clinging to someone suddenly held negative connotations…

But friends, I will never forget when my newborn son’s fingers curled around mine for the first time. How firm his grip felt for such a small being. The clench dug deep into my chest as love encapsulated my heart. For in that moment I knew I was his whole world. Nothing else mattered.

He needed me. As much as I needed him. So it doesn’t surprise me one bit when I read:

Show love to the Lord your God by walking in His ways and holding tightly to Him.” (Deuteronomy 11:22 NLT)

For when we hold tightly to Him, love envelops our Heavenly Father. Our necessity of Him is confirmed.

I admit, I struggle with holding on tight. I don’t think it’s because of the daily conscious effort required. I believe I try to show I can do this on my own. I convince myself it will bring Him glory if I prove how strong and capable He made me to be.

Time has weathered more than my wiry frame it seems. I’ve got some re-focusing to do.

If I want to capture my childlike faith, perhaps I need to revert back to my childlike thinking as well. From now on, this day is going to be my favorite. No more struggling with trying to do it all by myself. No more trying to prove anything other than the fact that He’s my whole world.

Yes, I will be striving to hold on tight to my Savior and let Him carry the load. I will consciously choose to focus on Him instead of my surroundings. And maybe, as I grow stronger, it will get easier. Maybe it won’t.

One thing I do know, I’ll be able to proudly proclaim:

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” (Psalm 18:2 NLT)

How about you? Are you holding on tight? Have you stopped trying to do it all on your own? I’d l ove to hear and learn from you.

Nikki is a loved wife, blessed mom, mere child saved by grace who strives daily to live like she deserves it. Before she was blessed with her role as a mother, her favorite jobs included teaching piano and working in interior design. She has a hard time saying no to peanut butter and chocolate and if you meet for coffee, a chai tea latte will be in her cup. She journals her thoughts on a blog titled Simplystriving. There you will find her journey of seeking joy in the everyday while simply striving to become all that God has made her to be.

16 Responses to Hold On Tight
  1. Dolly
    March 1, 2012 | 12:27 am

    loved that image of your son holding on tight to you, and of us holding onto God, and how He holds onto us and never lets go…wonderful post…hugs to you, Nikki πŸ™‚

    • Nikki
      March 1, 2012 | 11:06 am

      Thank you so much, Dolly! Thrilled you stopped by. Hugs to you as well!

  2. Charina
    March 1, 2012 | 5:40 am

    Holding on tight to HIm Nikki. He makes me strong and fill me up. Offering all to Him. Blessings!

    • Nikki
      March 1, 2012 | 11:07 am

      So glad to hear to that, Charina! What a beautiful example you are. Blessings to you as well!

  3. ginger
    March 1, 2012 | 9:19 am

    “And maybe, as I grow stronger, it will get easier. Maybe it won’t.” so true…so true.

    such wonderful word pictures and a very encouraging post! oh to have the faith of a child again. i know we can, it just seems so hard somedays when the particulars of everyday life get into my focal point. i tend to get lost in those instead of getting lost in Him. when i find that happening i try to remind myself that while those things are necessary (cooking, cleaning, household management), i am doing them for His glory. Soli Deo Gloria. i say that to myself and my focus shifts. that’s one of my helps.

    • Nikki
      March 1, 2012 | 10:23 pm

      Yes, it is so easy to lose focus, isn’t it.
      I love that you have a focus phrase! Wonderful idea. Thank you so much for sharing it with me.

  4. Mom
    March 1, 2012 | 10:24 am

    I love the concept of holding on tight to my Savior, but I struggle with the picture that you used. That rock looks VERY hard to hang onto. Is it that hard to hang on to My Lord? Maybe to some it is. But I don’t want to think that it is. As my hands and grip get weaker with age and the attack of arthritis, I would rather think of wrapping my arms around Jesus’ neck and hanging on tight, never wanting to let go. Oh the love, that first love!! I long for that. I can still remember the first times that I wrapped my arms around your father and never wanted to let go, and he in turn had his arms around me holding tight. Now that is how I want to think of holding on. I’m not alone in this, He is also hanging on to me. Love your posts dear! Love you! Hugs….

    • Nikki
      March 1, 2012 | 10:27 pm

      I see your point about the picture used. He is my rock and to Him I cling. Think that’s what I was going for, but I enjoy your imagery more. And yes–He does hold onto us, too, doesn’t He. I tend to forget that…

      Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts! I appreciate your encouragement! Love and Hugs to you as well, mom!

  5. Laura Rath
    March 1, 2012 | 10:36 am

    I love the thought that holding on tight to Him is a sign of strength, not weakness. Great post!

    In Christ,
    Laura

  6. Nikki
    March 1, 2012 | 11:09 am

    Thank you so much, Laura! Honored to be here today.

    All for Him,
    Nikki

  7. Rosann
    March 1, 2012 | 2:14 pm

    Nikki, I love this and especially how you mention your newborn grasping tightly to your finger. That really brings the idea of God being my whole world to a new light in my mind and in my heart. Thank you!!

    • Nikki
      March 1, 2012 | 10:28 pm

      Oh, thank you so much, Rosann! Thank you for sharing with me. You’ve blessed me so. I love that imagery as well. There’s nothing sweeter…
      Blessings to you!

  8. Katie
    March 1, 2012 | 6:13 pm

    As a newborn held onto my finger this week, I found myself thinking also about holding onto our Savior! Isn’t it wonderful when God speaks to us in the little things? πŸ™‚

    • Nikki
      March 1, 2012 | 10:29 pm

      I’m so glad you had that opportunity, Katie! And am thrilled you first thought of our Savior. Yes–it’s the little things, isn’t it. Let’s strive to slow down to catch more of them!

  9. Carol Hatcher
    March 5, 2012 | 3:22 pm

    This is so beautiful. Oh, I desperately need to cling to my Lord. THank you for the reminder that clinging denotes strength not weakness.

    • Nikki
      March 6, 2012 | 9:58 am

      Thank you, Carol, for taking the time to share! That’s a reminder I need to tell myself often.
      So blessed to have “met” you.
      May you delight in Him this day!
      All for Him,
      Nikki