Fear Not, I Am With You

Today at church, the primary children sang songs and bore simple testimonies of how learning about the role of families in the God's plan during Sunday School has blessed their lives. They sang the beautiful hymn, "How Firm a Foundation". As I watched my two youngest sons sing that hymn, I had a strong feeling of peace. The 3rd verse begins,

"Fear not, I am with thee, Oh be not dismayed
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand."

I have experienced the power of good music in my life even as a young girl. There have been those difficult moments when the verses of hymns were brought to my memory offering strength, conviction, comfort and hope. As they sang, I knew this song would provide similar blessings to them later in their lives.

It was a special Sacrament service. There was a 3-year-old down syndrome girl in bench before us. She was beautiful with little pig tails and such a pure sweet face. It reminded of a little boy named Harley I knew when I was 12. Because he was born with severe heart complications, his 4 years of life were a miracle. At his funeral, I remember this story.

He was on a walk with his grandma. She told him that she felt so happy when she was with him. When she walked with him and held his hand, she said it felt like she was holding the hand of God. Then that sweet little boy looked up at his grandma and said,

"Then hold it Grandma. Hold the hand of God."

Too often I take for granted just how precious and close little children are to God.  Of course, temper tantrums and tears don't help, but at those times we need those fall back moments to remind us who they really are. For me, it's the chapters in 3rd Nephi that describe Christ interactions with the little children. It teaches me that if Christ were here, one of His chief interests would be talking with and blessing the lives of  children. If I'm supposed to pattern my life after His, my interests should be similar.

And here's the best part. When I'm busy helping and loving His children, every aspect of that verse above comes back to me ten fold. When I love His children, I feel His love and support for me. When we hold the hand of a child, we hold the hand of God. Amazing.