It may not be what most people ponder during a workout, but when I’m running down the trail near my house, the familiar Irish travel blessing sometimes comes to mind.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
For some reason, these words usually enter my thoughts when the wind is not at my back—when it feels like I am running directly into gale-force gusts.
I live in Kansas, so wind is part of my everyday life. And though it’s a nice idea, it’s not reasonable or realistic to expect it to be at my back all the time—on the running trail or in real-life situations.
Jesus confirms this in John 16:33—“In this world you will have trouble,” he told His followers.
I doubt anyone would base their entire theology on the first several lines of the Irish blessing, or even look at it as some kind of quasi-guarantee. The ending, though, is a hope based on eternal truth.
“Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
These gentle words remind me of a scripture that hangs in a frame on my friend Kim’s wall, one that took on special meaning after her 16-year-old son died 10 years ago.
“I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:15b-16a, NIV)
In August, Kim wrote a reflection on her son’s death that became the most-read post of 2020 here on the blog. If you missed “A Grieving Mom Asks ‘How Are We to Go On?” when it was first published, I would encourage you to read it now.
The good news—during seasons of grief like Kim has endured as well as every other phase of life—is that God doesn’t just hold us in the palm of His hand, as the Irish blessing says. When He adopts us into His forever family, He irrevocably carves us into that sovereign palm.
That doesn’t mean our lives will always be rosy, but that nothing can separate us from God’s love.
It doesn’t mean that we won’t suffer loss or pain, but that God is with us in the middle of our deepest suffering.
It doesn’t mean that we won’t ever get discouraged or lonely, but that God will never, ever abandon us.
The older I get and the more of life I experience, the more meaningful these truths become. (You too?)
We hope for the best—for ourselves our loved ones, our communities, our countries, our world. We pray for God’s favor and do what we can to make things better.
But when everything falls apart—or when nothing turns out as we had expected or planned—we can rest in the assurance that He keeps His promises.
When He says He won’t forget us, that’s exactly what He means.
And so, dear friends … until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
♥ Lois
God doesn’t just hold us in the palm of His hand. When He adopts us into His forever family, He literally carves us into that sovereign palm. Share on X When everything falls apart—or when nothing turns out as we had expected or planned—we can rest in the assurance that God keeps His promises. Share on XP.S. I’m linking up this week with #TellHisStory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
28 comments
John 16:33 is one of my favorite verses! Thanks to you and to Kim for this precious image when trouble is true- the image of not just being held, but being carved into His palm. Merry Christmas!
You too, my friend!
Lois, this is a good insight, “I live in Kansas, so wind is part of my everyday life. And though it’s a nice idea, it’s not reasonable or realistic to expect it to be at my back all the time—on the running trail or in real-life situations. Jesus confirms this in John 16:33—’In this world you will have trouble,’ he told His followers.” Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Lisa. 🙂 Good to hear from you this week!
Being Irish, I love that blessing and heard it as a child. The image of God holding us is precious. We won’t have a magical or perfect life, as His children, but “we can rest in the assurance that He keeps His promises.” And those promises bring hope, joy, peace to our hearts .
(I just realized we are practically neighbors. I live in the middle of Missouri.)
Merry Christmas
That’s so cool to know we’re “practically neighbors,” Theresa! I live in the Kansas City area … where are you? (And a very merry Christmas to you too!)
I am not surprised to find that you were inspired while running. That blessing is beautiful. Thank you for sharing so many good posts all year long. I am always encouraged by your words.
Aw … thank you, Michele. I feel the same about your words!
I love the words of the Irish blessing and it is so reassuring and encouraging to know that God holds us in the palm of his hand and he will never abandon us whatever difficulties we face. It’s so important to hold onto that!
I agree, Lesley. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, my friend.
Wow, this resonates with me so much! Thank you a bunch for sharing this. I am a new believer, and one of the things that made me accept God’s grace is that I believe I nor my life need to be “good enough” for Him. Life here isn’t perfect, but eternal life is.
So true, Astrid. What a blessing to realize that nothing we could ever do to make God love us more—or less! Good to hear from you this week.
That Irish blessing was on a plaque hung in my childhood kitchen. I saw it every day, and find it can suddenly play in my mind, too! The wind may not be on our back, but God is always with us and for us. Thankful for your words of truth today, Lois!
“God is always with us and for us.” Amen, Lynn! Blessings to you this week!
When I was in high school choir, we sang the Irish blessing. Every time I hear it, it takes me back to that memory. I’m so thankful of God’s faithfulness and how He meets my deepest needs.
Me too, Lisa … and don’t you just love it when something reminds you of a song from high-school choir? 🙂
Isn’t it amazing the truths that are revealed while running? 🙂 Your story reminded me of the time when my husband and I were training for a marathon and had to do a long run on a day with gale-force winds. We drove one car 20 miles west and ran east. A tailwind for the whole run! I remember Kim’s post and how impactful it was when I first read it. At this time of year, when we sing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, this is an excellent reminder that God is with us always, even at our darkest times.
Wow, Laurie … I’m guessing the 20-mile drive was worth it to have a run like that, huh? 🙂
Lois, these truths resonate with my heart. When I was in college, a person I knew put those lyrics to music and it was beautiful. I find great comfort in knowing that God both holds me and has adopted me into His forever family. Thank you for these reminders of our Father’s faithfulness.
I find comfort in those same things, Jeanne … sending you long-distance Christmas hugs, my friend. 🙂
Such encouragement! I can feel the wind, the nails in the palms, the love that is forever. I am grateful to our God for creating us in His powerful love.
Me too, Linda. Good to hear from you this past week. 🙂
Oh Lois, this brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for reminding me of that meaningful verse and irrevocable truth of how God has graven us on the palms of His hands. Thank you for these hope-filled reflections that God is in the midst of our deepest suffering and He will never, ever abandon us! Love and blessings to you!
Aw, Trudy … I find great comfort in these truths, right along with you. Love and hugs to you, my friend.
‘How are we to go on’ is one of the many questions we’re wrestling with these days. But never have to fully walk into until we face the death of one far too early in their life’s journey.
Thank you for sharing this. Undoubtedly many hearts have already been touched …
I know you’ve been there with your family, Linda … I’m so thankful God is gentle with our hearts when we have to wrestle through the hard questions. Hugs, friend.
Yes, me, too, Lois: –> “The older I get and the more of life I experience, the more meaningful these truths become. (You too?)” I am leaning hard into the message of Christmas that God is with us. Oh, how I need him! Blessings to you this season, friend.
Amen, Lisa! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too—you are a blessing to me!