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When I was a child, one of my dreams was to have a horse. Because I lived in the city, the closest my friends and I came to that dream was riding our stick horses around the neighborhood and enjoying pony rides at area parks.
When we visited relatives in Warrensville, I would be so excited because my cousin Dorothy had a horse! I remember Aunt Catherine opening the box of sugar cubes and giving us some to take to the field. I would clasp those cubes in my fist as we ran out the back door. Soon we were enjoying the feel of her horse's big brown head as we reached up to say hello. It was fun to watch his nose working hard to determine the source of the sweet smells each of us carried. It did not take him long to nuzzle each of our hands in turn.
I still remember that, on my first visit to see the horse, I finally unclenched my fist, opening my hand just a bit to form a bowl, worried the sugar would fall out. The horse nuzzled my hand, tickling my fingers, and I pulled away -- afraid he might bite a finger accidentally. Dorothy quickly demonstrated how she opened her hand so her palm and fingers were flat and level to give her horse her sugar cube. Little and excited as I was, it took me a bit of practice, but I finally got the sugar cube to stay on my flat hand long enough for the horse to gently take the treat.
Like many of us, I was most comfortable when my hands were clasped into fists. My one hand was clenched around sugar cubes, and the other was grasping Dorothy's hand. The moment I wanted to reach out and really enjoy the afternoon, petting and feeding the horse and then exploring the farm, I needed to unclench my fists and open my hands.
I often needed help to feel comfortable in new or challenging situations. Today, friends and family, like my cousin, often come to our aid, and so do perfect strangers, but there is one on whom we can always depend.
No matter where we are, if we walk with God, we will not only feel the comfort of God's peace "that passes all understanding" enfold us, but we will also have a sense of safety that we can find nowhere else. For God is the creator and sustainer of all of life, now and throughout eternity.
I have an image of you being held in God's hand. For Hebrew Scripture tells us that God has "been our dwelling place in all generations" (Psalm 90:1 NRSV). We are not grabbed and twisted or forced into compliance, but we are invited to join with others who dwell together in God's world.
So, relax your hands; release your clenched fists that hold so protectively to greed, prejudices, misconceptions, envy, and hatred. Open your hand to the joys of God's gifts of wisdom, understanding, forgiveness, graciousness, hospitality, and respect.
Life is more worth living when we look for the best in ourselves and each other. When we dwell in God's hands, we stand together on a level playing field to be blessed with comfort, encouragement, mercy, and forgiveness from our Creator and from each other.
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Rev. Gwen Bernstine serves as Pastor of Lycoming Presbyterian Church in Newberry, a congregation formed in 1792.