Held

Some short thoughts that came to me on vacation this week. While enjoying floating in the middle of a lake, surrounded all around by soft water, I was struck by how water so gently holds you, but also completely supports you. 

As we know, water can also be forceful and frightening—dangerous. Like all elements it has many forms. And maybe that makes its gentleness all the more striking. 

Likewise, the Lord’s awesome power only makes His gentleness more touching. The fact that He could toss me like mere driftwood through the tides and obstacles of life makes His compassionate and patient leading that much more poignant. 

And just as when I relax back into the embrace of the lake—with the joy of sun above me and blue and green world all around— when I rest in His care, I am completely held. 

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I praise Him.” Psalm 28:7

About Tania Alden

Tania is a wife, mother and watercolour painter (when she has the time and brain space). She currently lives in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania but holds a special place in her heart for Westville, South Africa where she grew up. She and husband Micah are delighted and exhausted parents to three young children. As the daughter of a minister, married to the son of a minister, New Church ideas have always formed a central and important part of Tania’s family life, but now as a mother, finding ways to communicate and teach these values to young children has given them a new meaning and power. And it is exciting, and daunting, to know that the journey of spiritual understanding is just barely beginning!

6 thoughts on “Held

  1. I like thinking about this in the context of some truths hold you and are delightfully relaxing and some wild truths that look like they will kill you the Lord asks you to walk out onto those as well. A gentle article. Thanks

    1. That’s a great point, Nicole! I like it. Truths come in many forms, some much more palatable… and the Lord is in them all. And ultimately they all hold us too… just in different ways.

  2. Yes. And just today Dad and I were marveling at how a bath or a shower helps a sick or jet lagged person feel so much better. That water seems to heal us a bit. I’m so glad you got held in that kind of a lake on your vacation.

  3. I love this idea of being gently and completely supported by something that can also be so strong and forceful 🙂

  4. Just getting around to reading this lovely article. As ever, I so appreciate your gentle, wise reflections. I often think of the Lord holding me in His arms or even in His cupped hands, but I love the idea of imagining Him supporting me the way gentle water does. Beautiful.

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