Hanging On (05/19/2026)

One of my first skills was hanging on. It’s told that I was a climber at a very early age, and my parents would find me clinging to handles and bars, dangling above the floor as a toddler. I don’t remember that. I do remember hanging on a time or two from tree branches when my foot slipped and I caught myself midfall. Hanging on is not a bad skill to have today. These days, I’m grateful for the ability to “hang on.”

As I get older, I am grateful for the skill and grab every rail I can find when I go down steps. And if I forget, there always seems to be someone nearby who advises me, “Hang on.” No one wants to see a short, gray-haired Irish woman free fall down a flight of stairs. It would not be pretty.

Did you know that hanging on is one of the earliest reflexes we develop as human beings. It’s been observed in the womb as early as 16 weeks. I know as a mother, my newborns could hang on to my finger or hand right away. And if a little one gets ahold of a mom’s hair, brace yourself. They aren’t going to let go quickly.

I was thinking about this skill recently as I was reading the bible recently, specifically Philippians 3:12: “It is not that I have already grasped it or have already attained perfection, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may grasp it since I have been taken possession of by Christ.” It hit me, Christ is hanging on to me. Will I “hang on” to Christ? Will I refuse to set Him down or walk away from Him? He is One whom my whole being desires. I want to purposefully “hang on” to Him and His redeeming love.

Hanging on, I’ve reasoned, must be important for life or why else would the LORD put it in our toolbelt so early? I think He’s trying to tells us something. “Hanging on” is essential not just in this life but for life.  And it’s not just with our hands that we must “hang on.” The more essential grasp and refusal to let go is with our minds and hearts. May we “hang on” this day and all days to the wonder of our LORD’s love for us.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.