weathered. worn. wrinkled.

my hands
weathered
worn
wrinkled

hands that love my grandkids 

these were my hands when I was months old
not weathered
or worn
and certainly not wrinkled

hands with a story
I thank God for that!

I look at the hands 

weathered

worn

wrinkled 

oh the story they could tell

the places they have been

the things they have done

the hands that have been clasped in them

the tears that they have wiped

the ticklish spots they have tickled

weathered

worn

wrinkled 

oh the story they could tell

the things they have made

crafts they have created

baking they have baked and delivered to others

knitting they have done (purl one, knit one)

counted cross stitches they have stitched

weathered 

worn

wrinkled

of the story they could tell

of mission trips

and holidays

with family and with friends

of folded laundry

and ironed clothes (before everything was wash and wear)

weathered
worn

wrinkled

oh the story they could tell

of hugs around children’s necks

and applying bandaids on scraped knees

of turning pages of story books

and tickling backs of sleepy children

of ring around the rosie

and skipping rope

of playing tic tac toe

and helping little hands write their names

of smoothing hair

and touching an arm for assurance

of holding hands while crossing the street

or just because holding the hand of someone you love - feels so good

of caressing the love of your life

and gentle touch on the little loves of your life

and all the touches in between, given to children who have blessed you

weathered

worn

wrinkled

oh the story they could tell

of turning the pages of Curious George

but also turning the pages of her favorite book - the Bible

of writing letters

and penning poems

of journalling and blogging

hands that have given direction to children

have picked loved ones up when they need a hand

hands that have made a cup of coffee

and opened the door to entertain friends both old and new

weathered

worn

wrinkled

oh the story they could tell

stories of her hands being used

to love

to care

to help

to guide

to work

to teach

to craft

to have fun

and to serve

Hands

weathered

worn

wrinkled

touching the hands of another

who has the whole world ahead of them

O the stories their hands will tell.

I look at the hands

weathered

worn

wrinkled

and I see the hands of my mom

who has been with Jesus for many years now

I remember her hands

and realize that her hands helped me become who I am today

but I realize that the hands I see

weathered

worn 

and wrinkled

these

hands

are

mine!

O Lord, please make these hands to be an instrument of your peace and your love.  

May you give me strength to serve you with my hands.  

Please Lord, give me the strength to use them for your honor and glory.  

Help me to bless others with my hands.  

O Lord, may you use my hands to bless my husband, my kids, my grandkids, 

my family and friends - both old and yet to meet.  

Thank you for the stories my weathered, worn and wrinkled hands tell.  

To you O Lord, I give praise, and thanksgiving and glory!  

Amen.