“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translated means “God with us.” Matthew 1:23


My two year old granddaughter Parker is responsible for the title of this week’s devotional.

You need to know up front that I am forever, totally, over the top, joyfully smitten by Parker. Our bright eyed, happy bundle of endless kid energy joined the Roll family and stole grandpa’s heart. Granddaughter and grandfather are pals of the highest order. She has twisted me around not only her little finger, but all of them!

Parker calls me Doodah. Parker thinks I am pretty cool and awesome if I may say so myself! My wife Jo Ann thinks Parker sees me as a big toy. I love to play with her…. and she knows it. She orders me where to sit, how to color, what puzzle piece to place where. What ever Parker wants or desires to do, Doodah makes it happen, with great joy!

Everything Parker does warms my heart. But one thing grabs grandpa’s ticker like nothing else. Doodah melts inside when she stretches her tiny arms toward me and says “Hold you”.

“Hold you” means hold me. Grammatically, Parker hasn’t quite figured out the difference between hold you and hold me. But that doesn’t matter to Doodah. Hold you or hold me is the same thing to me…. pick her up and hug her up.

Parker, big brown eyes flashing with anticipation, knows when she reaches out for Doodah and says “hold you” that I will hold her. She will be unconditionally accepted and loved by dear old Doodah, never rejected. I love holding her close, affirming my love, affection and protection for her. Parker feels safe, secure and valued when I hug her up and tell I love her.

It is amazing what we adults can learn out of the mouths of babes. Parker’s “hold you” has touched my heart and taught me once again how my Heavenly Father relates to me as His child.

Lessons Doodah Has Learned From Parker’s “Hold You”

• “Hold you” means hold me. I want you to hold me. We all need to be held. God knows that and holds us when we ask to be held.

• “Hold you” means hold me no matter how I have behaved. Accept me as I am. With all our flaws, God holds us because He loves us unconditionally.

• “Hold you” means I love you and I know you love me. Love never fails. God loving us makes it easy for us to love Him.

• “Hold you” means I trust you to take care of me because I need your help. When we need cared for, God can be trusted to meet our every need.

• “Hold you” means you make me feel secure when I feel insecure. God’s hug brings stability when life is unstable, certainty when we feel uncertain.

• “Hold you” means there is always a safe place for me to go. I am not afraid when you hold me. You and I are safe when we are wrapped up in the arms of Almighty God.

• “Hold you” means I am happy when you hold me. When you and I come to God to be held by Him, He is happy too! “Hold you” make everyone happy.

This Christmas, Parker has reminded Doodah that when we reach out to hold on to God, He holds us. How does He hold us? Through Jesus. Jesus is Immanuel…. God with us. Always with us, God’s Son holds us when we need held. Our Heavenly Father holds us near His heart because He is here in Christ

I don’t know about you, but I need to be held by Jesus. Every day.

As we enter the New Year, I believe 2012 is an opportunity to do a whole bunch of “hold you” in our relationship with the Lord. This is my prayer for me and maybe for you too.

Heavenly Father, may I never be afraid to say “hold you.” This year I will need You to hold me close to Your heart. Still my worries. Calm my fears. Quench my doubts. Wipe my tears. Renew my strength. Restore my joy.

I will confidently come to you to “hold you” because you love me, believe in me, and have a great plan for my life in Christ.

Thank you Father that when I come to “hold you” You always hold me.

“The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27

“Come to Me all of you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

A Word For Your Week: God “hold you” everyday of 2012.