image source mandiejoy

With one simple grasp, her entire world was wrapped into the palm of my hand.

Speechless. Breathless. But like we all do, I counted-

1-2-3-4-5

And then again.

6-7-8-9-10

They were all there. Ten of the smallest fingers I had ever seen.

On this day, day one, I held on tight and without saying a word I was immediately and eternally connected to her—my first of 4 daughters.

Her hand. My hand. Our journey began.

• For months we held hands while she ate, while she slept and while she silently absorbed the new world surrounding her.
• At 1 year old we held hands as she wobbled across the playground trying to find her own strength.
• At 3 years old, as she became too independent to be strapped down, we held hands as we strolled aisles and sidewalks together, searching for things we needed and a few things we just liked!
• At 6 years old we held hands as she, full of excitement and uncertainty, boldly entered a room full of unfamiliar faces and took her place at the seat marked “Alena.”
• And today, at this tender, awkward and vulnerable age of 10 years old, we still hold hands. Embarking upon the twists and turns of tween years, we hold hands while we talk, while we read, while we pray and sometimes while we just sit quietly, snuggled on a couch in an empty room.

Holding my daughter’s hand has and continues to be a potent form of understanding between she and I. It has become our silent language and a secret weapon that takes me right to the most tender places of her heart.

So I am committed to holding on.

Not solely because she doesn’t have words to express herself. Not because she’s not strong enough to stand on the strength of her own ankles. And not because she needs me to comfort her in a room full of strangers.

I hold her hand because I want her to know that no matter how strong she gets, I am still here. Loving, guiding, praying, protecting and comforting her.

I love a good conversation with my daughter. But I have learned that the best conversations begin with silence.

So, when she needs to talk, when she is ready to talk, I am within the reach of her arm, holding her hand just like the day we first met.

The world—her friends, her teachers—our society—is ready, waiting for the opportunity to grab the empty hand of our daughters.

So Mom, will join me?

No matter how old your girls are, they will always need you close by. For confidence, for strength, for hope, for forgiveness, for encouragement—Find a way to hold on tight.

Daughters, at any stage or phase, will never outgrow the need to hold a hand.

I pray you don’t let go.

I pray that as you hold their hands and guide their hearts that you will also continue to hold on tight to the hand of Our Heavenly Father.

Just like our daughters need us, raising His daughters requires His strength, His love and His comfort through every stage and season.

Hold on.

Psalm 73:23-24

(HCSB)

23 Yet I am always with You;
You hold my right hand.

24 You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward You will take me up in glory.

******

Wynter Pitts is the mom to 4 beautiful girls! She is the founder of For Girls Like You, a ministry to girls (age 6-11) and their parents, that includes a quarterly print magazine, and other print and web resources. Wynter has a passion and drive to introduce young girls to Christian values in a way that they are able to palate and digest, so they can walk passionately and boldly in who God has created them to be. You can find Wynter on Twitter and Facebook, and at her site, For Girls Like You.