My sons and I decided to go walking around the lake near our home the other day. It is such a glorious place to spend an afternoon in the Springtime when the leaves are coming out on the trees and the flowers are coming up through the ground. It has a well worn gravel path that circles the entire lake. You can walk at your own pace and delight in all the natural beauty that surrounds you. It is the perfect place to get back in touch with God and to fill your soul with joy.

     The only problem is that with the path being so near the water, erosion sometimes causes holes to develop along the walkway. It was while we were walking along it the other day that one of these holes caught my oldest boy unawares. He stumbled and almost fell but thankfully was able to reach out and take my hand. I steadied him and we walked on for awhile holding hands and feeling connected in our love for each other.

     I think that sometimes the troubles we face in our journey through life are a lot like those holes in the ground. They are always there causing us to stumble and sometimes even to fall. It is good to know, however, that we can always reach out and take the hand of our Heavenly Father. He is always there by our side waiting to pick us up and steady us. He is always ready for us to take His hand and walk on with Him connected in love forever.

     The next time you stumble and fall on your journey through life then reach out and take God’s loving hand. And after you take it never let it go again. Walk on with God forever, choosing love and sharing joy with each step you take. Always remember too that with God’s loving hand steadying your walk you can use your other hand to reach out and help up those who have fallen as well. The journey through life, after all, is always better when you are holding the hands of those you love.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella