THE PRAYING HANDS
The Praying Hands are much, much more
than just a work of art,
They are the "soul's creation"
of a deeply thankful heart -
They are a priceless masterpiece
that love alone could paint,
And they reveal the selflessness
of an unheralded saint -
These hands so scarred and toilworn,
tell the story of a man
Who sacrificed his talent
in accordance with God's plan -
For in God's plan are many things
man cannot understand,
But we must trust God's judgement
and be guided by His hand -
Sometimes He asks us to give up
our dreams of happiness,
Sometimes we must forego our hopes
of fortune and success -
Not all of us can triumph
or rise to heights of fame
And many times what should be ours,
goes to another name -
But he who makes a sacrifice,
so another may succeed,
Is indeed a true disciple
of our blessed saviour's creed -
For when we give ourselves away
in sacrifice and love,
We are laying up rich treasures
in God's kingdom up above -
And hidden in gnarled, toilworn hands
is the truest art of living,
Achieved alone by those who've learned
the victory of giving -
For any sacrifice on earth,
made in the dear Lord's name,
Assures the giver of a place
in heaven's hall of fame -
And who can say with certainty
Where the greatest talent lies,
Or who will be the greatest
In our heavenly father's eyes!
Helen Steiner Rice
The Praying Hands are much, much more
than just a work of art,
They are the "soul's creation"
of a deeply thankful heart -
They are a priceless masterpiece
that love alone could paint,
And they reveal the selflessness
of an unheralded saint -
These hands so scarred and toilworn,
tell the story of a man
Who sacrificed his talent
in accordance with God's plan -
For in God's plan are many things
man cannot understand,
But we must trust God's judgement
and be guided by His hand -
Sometimes He asks us to give up
our dreams of happiness,
Sometimes we must forego our hopes
of fortune and success -
Not all of us can triumph
or rise to heights of fame
And many times what should be ours,
goes to another name -
But he who makes a sacrifice,
so another may succeed,
Is indeed a true disciple
of our blessed saviour's creed -
For when we give ourselves away
in sacrifice and love,
We are laying up rich treasures
in God's kingdom up above -
And hidden in gnarled, toilworn hands
is the truest art of living,
Achieved alone by those who've learned
the victory of giving -
For any sacrifice on earth,
made in the dear Lord's name,
Assures the giver of a place
in heaven's hall of fame -
And who can say with certainty
Where the greatest talent lies,
Or who will be the greatest
In our heavenly father's eyes!
Helen Steiner Rice
__._,_.___
