Her Hands

While I washed my hands today, I asked the Lord to bless the work of our hands.
I thought of an encounter at the store.

I don’t remember much of her,
No name, nor what she wore,
But that her old hands made me stare
From six feet in the store.

I wondered if each deed she’d done
Had left their mark in lines,
And if the names of those she touched
In gnarling I could find

I clearly saw her open palms,
Saw years of work and care,
Imagined hands which children calmed
Then folded tight in prayer.

I thought of Jesus and His hands –
His nail-pierced hands of love –
How He surrendered all His plans
Into the Hands above.

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalm 90:17 (ESV) 
~
(Poem and picture, Heidi Viars, 2020)

22 responses to “Her Hands”

  1. My grandmother’s hands were like this. ❤ It is worth remembering that Christ, Himself, will have scars in heaven. See, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/his-scars-will-never-fade.

    Like

    1. Anna, I love this article! Thank you for sharing it.

      Like

  2. Yes, as much as we fight the scars and wrinkles, they’re what tell the story of our lives
    https://seekingdivineperspective.com/2018/01/24/two-perspectives-on-hands/

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for reading and commenting, Ann!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I don’t know if the link came through, but it was to a piece I wrote when I had just a handful of followers, called “Two Perspectives on Hands.” It’s my thoughts on experiencing arthritis in my hands, God’s ability to use or heal them, and the scars Jesus still has in His hands. (I’m in good company. ❤ )

        Liked by 1 person

  3. This is precious, thank you Heidi.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you for reading, Crissy 🤗

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Beautiful verse surrounding a life, no doubt, full of stories. God’s grip – Alan

    Liked by 2 people

    1. While looking at her hands, I felt those stories begging to be told. Thanks, Alan

      Liked by 3 people

      1. I often feel the same way.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. What a precious moment in the checkout line! That woman must have surrendered herself countless times to the work at hand, ignoring her own desires. Love the poetry you spun out of your experience–beautiful hands that image a mother’s love and image our Savior’s love too. No doubt, for the rest of the day, she carried close to her heart your sweet words of affirmation, Heidi!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. More than ever before, may God open our eyes and ears and help us to affirm humanity next to us. After all He left His image on it. Thanks for reading, dearest Friend. 🤗

      Liked by 3 people

  6. Thank you Heidi, I see my own hands even as hers. Psalm 90:17 is the last thing I pray before my feet touch the floor every morning. From our head, to our heart, to our hands, the Lord works to complete His plans. Much love and blessings for you and your family.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you for reading, Fran. He is indeed holding it all in His capable hand. 🤗

      Liked by 2 people

  7. Giving thanks for how God’s hand is upon you to bless others through your writing. Thank you, dear Heidi . . .❤️

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Giving thanks for beautiful friends … like you ❤️

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Kathie, please add the link to your blog on your profile. Blessings. Fran

      Liked by 1 person

  8. This is so beautiful, Heidi. It just goes to show that some good can still come out of shopping at this time – it inspired you to write a fabulous poem! x

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lesley, thank you for commenting. May the Lord open all our eyes to the work that is at hand. Blessings, friend 🤗

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Amen! Thank you, Heidi. 💞

        Liked by 2 people

  9. Lady Quixote/Linda Lee Avatar
    Lady Quixote/Linda Lee

    This is so sweet. Your poem made me think of my great-grandmother’s hands.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks, Linda, for reading. When she paid, she fumbled through her wallet, apologizing for being slow. She explained that she had arthritis really bad, which was obvious. I just said, “I am sure you have done a lot of hard work with those hands.” It just came out of my mouth … but somehow it must have touched something inside of her. She just turned around, smiled and nodded. Funny, how encounters like these stick with us.

      Liked by 3 people

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