With My Hand in His
A Collection of Inspirational Poetry, Prose, and Other Ponderings
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“In his heart a man charts his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
This book is about a journey, mostly my own journey; but each of us must walk a similar path…And on the way we share, or cross paths with many who influence our path to some extent. To understand the title of this book, it will help somewhat, to have experienced that feeling of love, joy, security, hope, promise, commitment and more…when you have placed your hand in that of one you love as you walk the various pathways of life. Perhaps you have never had such an experience…then I invite you to let this book point you in the right direction…Jesus will fill that void—to full and overflowing.
As I look back on my journey, I can heartily say with the Psalmist, “You will show me the way of life…I follow close behind You, Your strong right hand holds me securely.” (Psalm 16:11; 63:8, NLT) I Probably would not have made it this far, had I not walked this path with my hand in His…You know it is said “hind sight is always 29/20! Therefore I see now why things sometimes went wrong—I had probably let go of His hand. And, of course, there were other times I carelessly loosened my grip…Ignoring the warnings, I stumbled on rocks in the path and suffered the consequences. (See Psalm 91:11-12)
It’s much like a young child walking along the wintry street holding her Daddy’s hand—she begins to slip on a patch of ice—the instant she begins to lose her footing her father clasps her hand tightly, and with a gentle upward tug of his strong arm she is safely upright once more. Grasping his hand a little tighter now—she skips along gleefully, keeping in step with her Father. “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping’ Your love, O Lord, supported me.” (Psalm 94:8, NLT) Every time I think about taking a wrong turn in life, I feel that same familiar tug, and I can’t go on, unless I choose to let go of His hand. If I hold on firmly, He guides me and makes my path safe. “Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” (Proverbs 4:26, NLT)
As I’ve walked this pilgrim pathway. I have encountered obstacles I’ve had to climb over, under, and around—but mostly, I had to go straight through—By His grace, I’ve walked in the joy and peace He has promised, the peace of God, that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus…You will keep in perfect peace him who is steadfast, because he trusts in You.” (Philippians 4:7; Isaiah 26:3)
When we commit ourselves to the Lord without reservation of any kind—He guides our steps closely. The things that happen to us never happen merely by human design, or coincidence—but providentially. No matter what we face on this road of life we can declare with Paul, “We are knocked down, but we get up and keep going…” (2 Corinthians 4:9, NLT) If our hearts are fully yielded to Him, He will guide every footstep.
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalm 37:23-24, NLT
I have tried to share an example of some of the roads we all must travel at one time or another…Highways and byways…primitive paths, roads well-travelled, teeming freeways, convenient bypasses; and the uncharted trails through the forests…It is my intention to remind you of some of the essential, uncomplicated ways we can walk in triumph—according to God’s Word.
I often need written instruction, so I keep my instruction book close…His Word…close at heart and hand. Speaking of His Word, He has promised, “When you walk they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you wake, they will speak to (advise) you.” (Proverbs 6:22)
The following scripture found in Philippians 3:10, in the Amplified Version of the Bible, has been my hearts’ desire for many years—it is often in the throes of that deep desire that I have written much of what you will read here… “For my determined purpose is that I may know Him—that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person, more strongly and clearly…and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into His likeness…(Philippians 3:10, AMP)
A.W. Tozer said, “He (Jesus Christ) is a person and can be known in increasing degrees of intimacy as we prepare our hearts for the wonder of it.” Uh-Huh! Therein is the crux of it—we must prepare our hearts.
After all these years I still must confess, just as Paul so ably, with all humility admits, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I shall finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No dear brothers and sisters, I am not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what is ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us up to heaven.” (Philippians 3:12-14, NLT)
God wants us to have more…more LOVE—more INTIMACY—more CONNECTION—more of HIM!
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About the Book
Do you desire intimacy with Jesus? He desires it with you. A look at the Song of Solomon confirms that. Just as with a husband and wife, intimacy—real oneness with Him—requires above all else, love and selflessness, and must include determination, time, and faithfulness. So it is with our Bridegroom Jesus Christ. Is your path of life difficult? He says “This is the way, walk in it.” Learn to read and follow His road map, as you grasp tightly to His hand and follow Him, through the seasons of life. Be encouraged as the author shares years of personal experience and life lessons. Learn some of the most essential elements required to abiding in Christ—moment by moment consciously aware of, and present to, His presence.
Spanning the seasons of life with a variety of subjects, the author speaks to the heart of all readers. Wherever you are in your Christian walk, WITH MY HAND IN HIS will arouse in you a new desire for a deeper relationship with Christ.
Be astonished at what God accomplished in a young woman’s life because she never gave up hope in Him. In WITH MY HAND IN HIS, I am reminded that God is who He says He is, and we can confidently rely on Him through all the seasons of our lives, if we keep our hand in His and believe that hope lives on.
Little did I know (but God knew), when the author asked me to help her edit her writing, I would be in deep need of the encouragement found in her book.
—Helen Nordquist, With My Hand in His editor
About the Author
For years, Virginia has been writing a featured column, “A Moment with Ginna,” for Grace Lines, a newsletter for the church she attends. Her prose and poetry have been shared in various ways but never before published. Her determination to always walk life's pathway with her hand in God's has led her to continually seek a more intimate relationship with Christ, which she longs for every child of God to experience. Recently widowed, she lives in Rhinelander, Wisconsin; her grown children and grandchildren live nearby.