The Hand of The Father
© Steph Gutmann, 2009
On my way home one sunny afternoon, I saw a young girl walking on the top of a tall wall... The wall was as high as the man's shoulder of who's hand the girl was holding onto as she walked up high. And when she came across a gap in the wall where there once had been a gate, the man lifted her up and carried her to the other side.
A girl feels as though she can do anything when she holds the hand of her father as she goes through life.
But what about the girl for whom her father is not there to hold her hand and help her tackle those heights? What of the girl for whom there is no father to lift her down when she comes to the end of her wall, or to carry her to the other side should a gap suddenly appear on her journey? A girl without the hand of her father feels as though she has to struggle to climb up the wall if she's even to begin the walk; learn to balance herself without that hand to steady her and then jump down by herself without causing herself any injury.
Life indeed is somewhat harder for the girl who grows up without a father. Challenges are faced in a different way. Independence is acquired at an early age for the girl who doesn't have those strong arms to help and support her... That hand to hold to take away the fear.
She has no time to be afraid; she is too busy learning to balance by herself on top of the wall. She has no need to believe anyone will be there for her, she understands that people are people and will always let you down. She has no understanding of love... It is something to be earned, not something that is given.
But this is not a feature on the girl who grows up without the hand of a father! This is about a Father who has an empty hand because His daughter is not there to take it.
A Father walks along the perimeter of the wall surrounding His garden, wishing His daughter was there to walk with Him. He extends His hand in the hope she might take it, but she isn't with Him and so doesn't see it.
He comes across a gap in the wall where life's wind has thrown itself against it, and over time stones have gone missing. He imagines His daughter needing His help to get across it and moves in closer to the wall to carry her, but the wall is as empty as the gap within it and He continues on His journey alone. At the end of the wall He knows it is too high for His daughter to jump without hurting herself and desires to stand in her way to catch her when she takes a leap of faith into His arms... But she isn't there to trust Him or to know He would never let her fall.
The hand of the Father
Is empty
Not because He's not with you
Or because He doesn't care.
No...
The hand of the Father
Is empty
Because you refuse to accept it
Or even acknowledge He's there.
You are the daughter,
God is your Father!
