What concerned us the most was that we might get separated from Elijah. In Times Square, people were shoulder to shoulder. During the evenings, especially, we would often have to weave single-file through the thick crowds. I would grip Elijah's hand tightly, sending him ahead of me or pulling him behind.
Even at 5'4, I occasionally had trouble seeing ahead, but being seven years old, Elijah could see very little. For what must have seemed like endless stretches, all he could see were legs, coats, feet, and for variety, some sidewalk trash. He just had to hold on tightly and trust whoever was holding his hand.
I later marveled that I never heard him complain. A few times he did question, "Can we go back to the hotel yet?" but when we shook our heads, he just smiled and continued on, looking forward to whatever we had planned.
Oh, how I want to be like that with God.
In Mark 10:15, Jesus tells us, "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Faith like a child. Can I really manage that?
Yes, I feel like I'm holding tightly to God, but I wonder if to God it feels more like I've got my hands around His ankle, and He has to drag me around from place to place. I wonder how willing my spirit is to walk behind, seeing nothing, and trust Him to take me where I need to go.
I don't think God minds me questioning, "Where are we going now?" or "Can I have a little rest, please?" I do know, though, that I need to fully rely on Him, trusting Him with my life's journey.