Baby Hands

Tonight as I was tucking my son into bed, I marveled at his 4-year-old hands. How chubby they still are at his age, still with little fat rings around his wrists. The sweet way his fingers curled and relaxed as he was drifting off to sleep. My daughter's hands no longer show any signs of the plump and dimpled little hands with which she used to hug us. I was reminded of a bedtime a few months ago when my son asked me as I kissed those hands, "Mommy, do you love my baby hands?" Oh my goodness, how my heart melted. If I could preserve my children in this precious innocent state forever, I would.


But then, as I continued to admire his "baby hands", my mind drifted to times beyond tonight. I began to look at his hands, wondering what they would do in his life. Were these the hands that would throw a football in an important game? Would they take delight in preparing foods and being near a stove? Would they hold a hammer and transform wood? Hold a Bible and be amazed at God's promises? Would they be held high in praise to God? Would they go into the world to serve him? Would they be the hands that someday hold another woman's hand in love besides my own? Would they one day hold his own child?


My future, and his, leaped before my mind's eye as I pondered these things. And while part of me desperately wants to push pause on life's clock and keep my children this way forever, I cannot do it. God has amazing plans for them to accomplish in this life. I have to let go, heartbreaking as it is, and commend them into His service, even now at this tender age. But I am not afraid, for God loves and watches over them in ways I could never achieve. Now, as I get past my initial desire to hold tight to them, I will choose to let them flutter out from my palm, eagerly waiting to see how these baby hands do big things for the Kingdom of Heaven.


Dear Child, I know the plans I have for you. I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIrV)