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I have a partner in ministry and a traveling companion, her name is Gracie and she is my almost 5 year old daughter. Often when there are errands to run or people to see she travels with me.

This may not amaze you but there are times she likes to be in control. What also may not amaze you is that these times seemed to be handled much more smoothly when my wife is around. Let’s save that thought for another day.

Walking across the street or in a store is one of our favorite times to butt heads. I like for her to hold my hand; she likes to walk on her own. I would love to let her walk without holding my hand but she has little regard for cars, people or shopping carts.

I have often tried to figure out what part of this girl is special needs; certainly being stubborn is not an area she is in anyway developmentally delayed. In stubbornness she is well ahead of the curve.

She is on to me about this hand holding thing. Let’s say I get her out of the car and put her down. She starts walking and I come to her to hold her hand. Nothing doing; she sees me coming and immediately puts both hands behind her back. So here I am walking in this parking lot with this sassy little girl trying to catch her hands so I can hold them.

Every time I get close to grabbing hold of her hand she just turns to avoid me, trust me we are quite the scene. This does not end until I pick her up and safely carry her to the destination which does not please her at all. She thinks someone as independent as her should not have to hold a fathers hand or most certainly not be carried by him.

Let’s face it when it comes to the Heavenly Father we are lot like Gracie. Our stubborn and independence leads us to conflict with someone who only cares about helping us make it through lives journeys safely.

How often do we decide to do things on our own and even at the slightest hint of need instead of falling on our knees in prayer and turning to God in dependence we decide to travel on the journey a little further? We are sure we can do it but with each turn we find ourselves digging ourselves deeper and deeper in a hole we have no way of getting out of on our own.

Still we hold our hands behind our back from a loving God whose desire is for our best.

Often we walk through life ignoring the oncoming landmines that the Father knows are just around the corner. If only we would pull our hands out from behind our backs, reach up for help and allow God to do what He wishes to do; bring us to safety.

Some day when we arrive on the other side we will see the places when God wearied of our stubborn heart but still out of love for us reached down and picked us up. Even as we struggled against it He carried us to the safe place, at that moment we will be humbled and thankful for such a loving God.

Today why not pull the hands out from behind your back, reach up to God. Like with any good father your hand won’t have far to travel; his hand is already reaching down to you.

Scripture: James 4:7-10, “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, deliver us from our stubborn hearts. Guide us to you and you alone as our help. We ask these things in the name of Christ, who loves us so. Amen.