Mar. 17, 2007 - Blogger Friend School Assignment #21
This week's assignment is to take a picture of my hand and to discuss how all the little parts of our bodies are used by God, even the ones we take for granted. To join Blogger Friend School, visit Training Hearts.
Here's my hand in all its glory. O.K. First off, I think that's a part of my body that I'm glad I don't notice too often. 
Guess I won't be doing any hand modeling anytime soon.
The first thing I notice is my fingernails. Hey, I have some! I can tell my mother has been here doing the dishes for a month. Way to go, Mom! Second, I see the scars from the giant I.V. I had during surgery on my inner wrist. Those will fade eventually. Last, there was no way I could take a picture of my hand by itself, for it is rarely alone. I almost always have Baby Bear's hand there, too. Beneath her fingers, you can just barely see a large bruise. Believe me, if you saw the whole gnarly thing, you would thank me for the cover-up. That bruise is partly from blood I had drawn the other day (bloodthinners just make lovely bruises!) and partly from those little fingers. See how the camera caught her in mid-action? Yep, she's a pincher. She used to pinch necks. Those were bad days. Now, she pinches knuckles. Actually, if you're lucky she just pinches. If you're not lucky or she's especially sleepy, she rolls the skin and cartilage underneath over top of the bone. Yikes! Yes, I know I can make her stop. Yes, I know I'm usually much more hard-nosed in my parenting and this doesn't go with my personality at all, but I let her have this one thing. Look at that little hand. I'll do anything to keep it close to mine for just a bit longer. It hurts more to let it go than to keep it.
I don't have to do much soul searching for this assignment. I've been made quite aware lately of how all my body parts work together and what happens if one starts to fail. Life is one moment after the other of taking things for granted. Even when we're grateful, we're unaware. If your heart beats about 70 beats per minute, that's over 100,000 times a day! I never noticed that until the multiple times I've been faced with the thought of it stopping as each racing beat pounded in my chest and throat. I never noticed how everyone takes breathing for granted, until I learned what it feels like to struggle to breathe. God designed these organs to function in the background, and there's good reason for that. These silent systems that sustain life without our thought or control. Being made aware of their presence is eye-opening. I've been on both sides, and I'd rather be blissfully unaware. I must have faith that my heart will beat the next second and the second after that. Just like my faith that God will be there in the moments to come. Thinking about it is not necessary.
I have perfect use of my arms, hands, feet, and legs. For that, I am truly thankful. I look forward to using them again for God's work. I walk slowly, but I'm getting faster. There's nowhere I wouldn't go if God led me. My hands are open and waiting to be filled with God's purpose and whatever task he sets me to.
My silent motto is often the old Shaker words: "Hands to work. Hearts to God." I have it on a magnet on my refrigerator as a reminder. My hands and body have done many different things over the years---not all for good. Right now, they change diapers, grade papers, stroke heads, clean toilets, and fold in prayer. I like that combination. I don't know what God will use them for in the future, but I strive to never let them be idle. Bruised, battered, or pinched, my hands are open in love and praise.
Comments
Mar. 22, 2007 - Beautiful
Posted by jenn4him
I am going to grab my camera and get my baby's hand! I need to capture that myself. Thanks for sharing. I hope you are getting stronger every day.
Jenn
Mar. 22, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by DanielleW
That is a precious picture. I like your motto.
