Most people have two or three creases etched in the palm of their hand. Our brand-new baby has one. One crease. It’s an uninterrupted line that runs straight and deep across her tiny right hand. That one crease is a “soft marker” for a chromosomal abnormality. In Audrey’s case, it’s a marker for Down Syndrome. That unbroken band breaks my heart.
My tender heart needs the help of heaven to process this diagnosis. Because I am afraid. I am not strong enough for this diagnosis.
In Isaiah 41, God speaks to his people. As they move forward in the path he has planned for them, he reminds them not to be afraid.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
This verse is heaven’s help for a mom who is afraid and feels weak and discouraged. My God holds me up with his righteous right hand.
But there’s more. Not only does he hold me up. He also holds my hand.
And he holds Audrey Grace up and he holds her hand. Her right hand.
13 For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
We don’t need to be afraid because the God of all creation is our God. He holds us up and he holds our hand.
And this God of the universe has a son who was born into our broken world as a baby. He came and cared for the creased palms of this world; and the mothers and fathers who cradle their precious hands and who would do anything to erase the crease and the extra chromosome that causes it.
God holds these parents with his righteous right hand. And he holds their children. And Jesus places their creased palms in his pierced palm. He takes hold of Audrey’s right hand and covers that crease with his love and his compassion and his power and he says, “Do not fear; I will help you.”
When fear grips my heart, I read these verses. I know that God helps me by holding me up and holding my hand. I know that Audrey has nothing to fear because God will help her too. He will hold her up and hold her creased right hand. He will hold her every moment of her life until one day, he will bring her home. Then she will be healed.
And all who are held by God—those who hide their creases on the inside and those who wear them on the outside—will be healed when they go home to heaven. Until then, God helps them. By holding them.
13 For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.