GRANNY’S HANDS

Faith Filled Thoughts
January 29th, 2009
By Connie Ciccone
Please share our website with your friends and family

http://www.faithitout.com/blog.html

www.faithitout.com

GRANNY’S HANDS

Granny, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.
She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence
and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her
but wanting to check on her at the same time,
I asked her if she was OK.
She raised her head and looked at me and smiled.
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,"
she said in a clear voice strong..

"I didn't mean to disturb you, granny,
but you were just sitting here staring at your hands
and I wanted to make sure you were OK." I explained to her.

"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked.
"I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them.
I turned them over, palms up and then palms down.
No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands
as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Granny smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have,
how they have served you well throughout your years.
These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools
I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life."

"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler
and I crashed upon the floor."

"They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back.
As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer.
They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.
They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war."

"They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.
They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.
Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world
that I was married and loved someone special."

"They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook
when I buried my parents and spouse."

"They have held my children and grandchildren,
consoled neighbors,
and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand."

"They have covered my face, combed my hair,
and washed and cleansed the rest of my body.
They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.
And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well
these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer."

These hands are the mark of where
I've been and the ruggedness of life."

"But more importantly it will be these hands that God
will reach out and take when he leads me home.
And with my hands He will lift me to His side
and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."
After that day

I never look at my hands the same again.
But I remember God reached out and took my granny’s hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my family,
my husband my friends I think of granny.
I know she has been stroked and caressed
and held by the hands of Almighty God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.
So take a good look at your hands today and as I share
This story with you…know that no matter what your facing in life,
No matter how lost you may feel.
I extend my hand to you, in love
Because I know Jesus has caressed your face and heart Today.

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Pastor Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdQje_gJ0ko