Big Enough Hands

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?

Isaiah 40:12

Children have the best imagination! They believe they have superpowers and can save the world. They are amazed at the simplest things—like rain. They are not thinking about where it comes from. They want to taste it. They want to catch it with their bare hands, even though that’s impossible. Try as they might, the water leaks between their fingers or overflows their cupped hands and hits the ground.

Sometimes life can feel like trying to catch rain. Trying to manage the everyday challenges and schedules can seem futile or overwhelming. Sometimes things we hadn’t planned are added to our plates. We try to balance and adjust, but no matter how hard we try, our hands cannot hold it all. With the addition of a chronic sadness such as depression, our skills at managing life can dwindle and other pieces of life slip through our fingers.

Scripture brings us comfort, reassuring us repeatedly that nothing slips past God. God knows us intimately. He knows when things are going well and when we are sick in our soul. He knows us better than our closest friend does. He knows us better than we know ourselves. And because he is all powerful and all knowing, he doesn’t lose track of anything. When our lives are poured into his hands, nothing slips through his fingers.

We cannot begin to define God’s knowledge. We know, simply and profoundly, that nothing is hidden from him or incomprehensible to him.

Elizabeth George

Man has to start with something and then develop it—he cannot ever make anything from nothing, only God can do that and call forth the creation.

Margaret Weston

For Further Reflection

Psalm 139:6; 1 John 3:20; Job 37:16

Today’s Prayer

I put my hand in yours, Lord, trusting you. May I always remember that you are big enough to manage my life and everything that comes my way. Amen.