Just Yesterday
Just yesterday I held my Dad’s hand, skipping three times to each of his giant strides. I felt joy, pride, love and so secure in his protective, unconditional love. Yes, I was disciplined, always rightfully so. But always loved.
That was yesterday.
Just yesterday my mother trained my hands to do a myriad things. Never could I equal the giftedness of her hands in giving, baking, sewing, gardening, playing the piano, writing….and most of all….loving. Her hands were never still, always giving.
That was yesterday.
Just yesterday I held my Grandmother’s hand, gnarled, quiet, skin as dry as parchment. Unconditional love mixed with the joy of being with my name’s sake, Emilie Brunn, gave me a sense of timelessness and purpose.
That was yesterday.
One day, I tucked my arm in my Dad’s and walked down the aisle, and that day he placed my hand into the hand of my dear husband for a lifetime of experience that included unconditional love. His hand steadied me and gave me support. His hands held our four babies, one by one, with such love.
That was yesterday.
As the years moved on, and we held hands around the supper table in prayer….those hands signified a strong bond….a strong bond of unconditional love in our family.
That was yesterday.
Now our lives are flung in separate locations across the United States, our four children are married and have children. The great grand children have appeared one by one. We can’t always hold hands at the supper table physically, and yet our hearts and minds clasp each other in unconditional love that extends into the future.
This is today.
Today My dear husband and I hold hands. I feel the tiredness in his hands, and he feels the stiffness in mine. That unconditional love becomes sweeter each passing day, for we know Who holds our future. Our hearts are truly one in Him.
For through the years we learned to hold our Master’s hand as we skipped through life learning to trust Him, to praise Him, to serve Him in all humility. He has taught us that unconditional love is the key to peace, contentment, joy and being a part of His family as we give our hearts to Him.
Now I look at my hands and all they have been taught to give, and I 
simply pray to give others unconditional love that was given to me, in Jesus’ Name. My hands have brown spots, ungainly, and yet they can serve others as long as Jesus has need of me. My dear husband’s hands, weak and weary, still use the familiar tools to fix whatever needs it. Hands that hold our love, hands that he folds in prayer before our Lord.
This is today.
Tomorrow I look forward to raising my hands in adoration as I meet my Lord in the air. For He is my strength and my salvation. With my hand in His, I’ll always walk in His unconditional love.
Forevermore. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself. Hebrews 13:8
So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. Hebrews 10:22-25
Blessed be God—he heard me praying. He proved he’s on my side; I’ve thrown my lot in with him. Now I’m jumping for joy, and shouting and singing my thanks to him. God is all strength for his people, ample refuge for his chosen leader; Save your people and bless your heritage. Care for them; carry them like a good shepherd. Psalm 28:6-9
And Isaiah’s word: There’s the root of our ancestor Jesse, breaking through the earth and growing tree tall, Tall enough for everyone everywhere to see and take hope! Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! Romans 15:13-14
So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. I Peter 5:6-7