That story really makes you think because me thinking about my hands help me
alot since I can't see. So that adds to the list of things our hands do. I
am so thankful to have hands I can use.
Amy
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 11:07 PM
Subject: Grandpa's Hands
> >
> > -->Grandpa's Hands
> >
> > > This is good; I'll never look at my hands the same!
> > > Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He
> didn't
> > >move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down
> > >beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I
> > >wondered if he was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but
> > >wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK.
> > > He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank
> you
> > >for asking," he said in a clear strong voice.
> > > "I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting
here
> > >staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I
explained
> > >to him.
> > > Have you ever looked at your hands," he 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 he was making. Grandpa 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 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 rifle and wiped my tears when I 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 the letters home and trembled and shook when I buried my
> > >Parents and Spouse and walked my Daughter down the aisle.
> > > Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug my buddy out of a foxhole
and
> > >lifted a plow off of my best friend's foot.
> > > They have held children, 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 my
> > >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 ."
> > > I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God
> reached
> > >out and took my Grandpa's hands and led him home.
> > > When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my
children
> > >and wife I think of Grandpa. I know he has been stroked and caressed
and
> > >held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and
feel
> > >His hands upon my face.
> > > When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you
> and
> > >watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue praying
> for
> > >one another .
> > > Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both.
> > > Passing this on to one not considered a friend is something Christ
would
> > >do.
> >
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