...who takes hold of my right hand.

For I am the Lord your God,

who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,

"Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

I look at those words.

I am the Lord, your God,

who takes hold of your right hand.

I picture this in two ways.

First, I picture Jesus across the table from me at this Starbucks table.

My right hand resting safely, gently, patiently in his.

I picture him meeting me here,

in my stillness,

reminding and inviting me to be still

and simply know

that he is here,

in my stillness.

I picture gentle eyes, gentle voice.

A soft, tender smile.

"Do not fear, I will help you."

But an entirely other picture conjures as well in my mind.

I picture Jesus, standing beside me,

at my right side,

at the starting line of a race.

My right hand firmly grasped in his.

He looks at me,

with fierce confidence,

perhaps even a twinkle in his eye,

since only he knows what beauty lies ahead.

And he says, "Do not fear; I will help you."

And together we run. We run the race.

You are the Lord, my God,

who takes hold of my right hand and says to me,

"Do not fear; I will help you."