HANDS FOR GOD

Whatever your hand finds to do,

do it with your might; for there is

no work or device or knowledge

or wisdom in the grave where

you are going.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Recently, there was an interesting picture on my computer screen. It was a picture of the hands, one on top of the other, that were hands of someone up in years. I don't remember if they were the hands of a man or woman. Although we have them, I doubt we think of them very often. We don't know what we'd do without them unless we had none or hands we have are damaged beyond usefulness.

My hands look a little better than the ones in the picture but have obviously aged mostly thanks to arthritis. I got to thinking of some of the things I've done with my hands that I never gave a thought to. My list would probably be much like anyone reading this. My hands have played with clay, dolls, colors and color books as well as handling and reading I don't how many books. My hands have cooked many a meal, seen to the privilege of holding my three babies, typing by the hour on every kind of writer beginning with no electrics. I have played piano's and organ's in more places than I can count. They have held any number of Bibles from which I have been blessed and taught others.

I have a picture on my bookcase from my wedding album. It's a common picture taken at weddings with the hands of the bride and groom resting on a bouquet. I have a twin picture of that from a totally different time. Bev took a picture of my holding Brian's hand in the hospital before he went to Heaven...a span of years from beginning to the end. How I miss that hand of his holding mine.

God has blessed us with the privilege of using our hands to serve others whether saved or unsaved. Jesus' hands were severely damaged as He hung on a cross for you and me. I can't imagine where we would be without those precious hands, bleeding to cover the sins of mankind. We can't serve as much or as well as He did, but we are called to always offer and give helping hands to relatives or friends in need. I look at my hands now, grateful they are functioning well for their age. No matter our ages, we have the privilege of extending our hands to anyone in need but only for God's glory.

Dear Father, how grateful I am for your wonderful hands that have held me close, guided when I just didn't know where to turn, that have provided for me in every way. Your hands have had to discipline me on occasion and I'm the better for it. Thank You for having Your hands cupped over my life every moment of my life. In Jesus' precious name...Amen