The hall of our home holds the canes and walking sticks of several generations of our family. My favourite is a slender staff with a gold plated knob en­graved with the initials ‘DHR’. It belonged to my wife Carolyn’s great-grandfather, Daniel Henry Rankin. Curiously, his initials are the same as mine.

In my study is another collection: my father’s peeled, apple wood walking stick, among others. And in a box in our garage there’s an assortment of cross country walking poles, wading wands and trekking sticks I’ve gathered over the years. One of these days, I’ll trade them all in for a Zimmer frame. I’ll always need something or someone to lean on.

I’m reminded of the old patriarch Jacob, once strong, now humbled and utterly dependent upon God. When he was dying, by faith he “worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff” (Heb. 11:21).

As I grow older I’m learning to lean more on God and His faithfulness. Over the years, He has “held me by my right hand”. He is guiding me with His counsel and afterwards He will “receive me to glory” (Ps. 73:23-24).

Shakespeare said it well: God is “the very staff of my age, my very prop.”

Author

David H. Roper

Topics

Our Daily Bread