Hands

When we married, my parents told my Sweetheart that I had a good mind and able hands that know how to work. They said this phrase often as I grew up. I was told that with a good mind and two able hands, I can do anything in life.

One day while talking with my Mom, she mentioned that she looked down at her hands and saw her Mother's hands. My Grandma's hands worked hard. She cared for children, sewed, washed dishes by hand, gardened, and did many other tasks. Her hands were always busy. My Mom's hands are always busy too. I like to look at hands and see the character that is in each person's hand.

I think of the beauty hands bring. They can bring comfort, hope, love, and a pat on the back. Hands wash, scrub, cook, pick up, soothe, apply band aids, and much more.

Unfortunately, hands can also be the cause of sadness, hurt, and anger.

A children's song brings a smile to my face when I think of hands. The lyrics read:

 I have two little hands folded snugly and tight,

They are tiny and weak yet they know what is right,

During all the long hours till daylight is through,

There is plenty indeed for my two hands to do.

 

Kind Father I thank thee for two little hands,

And ask thee to bless them till each understands

That children can only be happy all day

When two little hands have learned how to obey.

 

Right now in our home, we have two boys with two little hands. Their hands bring us such joy and peace. Today I observed as we walked one brother reach for the other brother to hold his hand. My Hurricane son took his brother's hand to keep up and to stay with his brother.

Other favorite moments are when they take their hands and apply gentle pressure to my cheeks or shoulder and cuddle me. I love when they use their hands in obedience by picking up toys or helping another person with a task.

My hands are large like a man's hands. I don't look at my hands and see graceful kindness. I do know that my hands know how to work and to do good. I hope that with my hands I bring beauty to those around me.

Jesus talks about hands in the Sermon on the Mount. He talks about the giving of alms. He warns the people to consider what the intent is in their giving and who the giving is for. Is the giving so that others will know how important you are? Or is the giving done to please God and serve the person receiving the service? He gives the challenge to "let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth" and then a beautiful promise that the "Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."

With that challenge and promise, I hope that you will find ways to serve in secret. I hope that the secret service will bring you joy in your own heart and peace in your life. Because it makes such a beautiful life to use your hands for the good of others and your family.