Hold on Tight

[soso]

Hold on Tight

Those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2

[A mother at a church //where I (JCD) was a guest speaker] told me tearfully that her husband had recently divorced her, devastating her two sons. “They miss their daddy every day,” she said. “They don’t understand why he doesn’t come /to see them. The older boy, especially, wants a father so badly that he reaches /for every man //who comes into our lives.”

The next morning I spoke again at their church. The same mother and her boys greeted me /after the service, and I shook the older boy’s hand. Then something happened that I was not fully aware of at the time—the boy did not let go of my hand! He gripped it tightly, preventing me from welcoming others around us.

To my regret, I unconsciously grasped his arm /with my other hand and pulled myself free. Only later did I remember and realize how desperately this lad needed a man in his life.

Dad, your sons and daughters will often reach /for your hand /in the years ahead. When they do, I urge you to hold on tight! This is doubly true /if you are divorced or separated. Now more than ever, your children need assurance of a love that “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”…and “never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:7–8).

Before you say good night…

In what ways do your kids “reach” for you?

What are the biggest challenges of being a single dad?

What is toughest /about being the child of a single dad?

What specific things can you do to reassure your kids that you’ll always be there for them?

Dear God, no matter what our family circumstances, let us never waver from our charge as parents! Please forgive us for so often failing our children and You. Help us to be worthy of Your trust in us to lead and love our kids. Amen.

• From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson
  Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

tight;

adjective
    1.    fixed, fastened, or closed firmly; hard to move, undo, or open.
    "she twisted her handkerchief into a tight knot"
    "a tight mass of fibers"
        (of clothes or shoes) close-fitting, especially uncomfortably so.
        "the dress was too tight for her"
                "tight jeans"
        (of a grip) very firm so as not to let go.
        "she released her tight hold on the dog"
        "a tight grip"
        (of a ship, building, or object) well sealed against something such as water or air.
        "a light-tight container"
        (of a formation or a group of people or things) closely or densely packed together.
        "he levered the bishop out from a tight knot of clerical wives"
        (of a community or other group of people) having close relations; secretive.
        "the tenants were far too tight to let anyone know"
        "she is tight with the big movie stars"
    2.    (of a rope, fabric, or surface) stretched so as to leave no slack; not loose.
    "the drawcord pulls tight"
        "the rope was tight"
        (of a part of the body or a bodily sensation) feeling painful and constricted, as a result of anxiety or illness.
        "there was a tight feeling in his gut"
        (of appearance or manner) tense, irritated, or angry.
        "she gave him a tight smile"
        (of a rule, policy, or form of control) strictly imposed.
        "security was tight at yesterday's ceremony"
        (of a game or contest) with evenly matched competitors; very close.
        "he won in a tight finish"
                "a tight race"
        (of a written work or form) concise, condensed, or well structured.
        "a tight argument"
        "a tight piece of writing"
        (of an organization or group of people) disciplined or professional; well coordinated.
        "the vocalists are strong, and the band is tight"
    3.  (of an area or space) having or allowing little room for maneuver.
    "a tight parking spot"
    "a tight space"
        (of a bend, turn, or angle) changing direction sharply; having a short radius.
        (of money or time) limited or restricted.
        "David was out of work and money was tight"
        informal       (of a person) not willing to spend or give much money; stingy.
    4.    informal    drunk. "later, at the club, he got tight on brandy"


adverb: tight
    1.very firmly, closely, or tensely.