about hands.

Our hands and fingers are story tellers. They carry the touch and feel of our life experiences, and they help us with what we need, reach for what we want, help us make a living, show which way we should go, and to help us express how we feel. Our hands protect us and can protect others, they can be used to help other people in a time of need, and as comfort and compassion. Our hands can also harm and be used to express discipline and frustration in ways that are hurtful. Our hands are a gift from God, and they can be used many different ways as they help us tell our life story.

I was mesmerized this past month during communion (a time in our community gathering where we share in a tradition of eating some bread dipped in wine or grape juice, and pause to remember the joy and sacrifice of what Jesus did for the world, namely dying for the world's sin and setting the world free). I couldn't take my eyes off of the hands who came to tear the bread and dip it in the cup. Each hand with fingers scarred or painted, some had jewelry and others came with nails bitten. There were calloused hands, and some without a finger, and some whose hands were crooked and bent. Some were dirty, some spotted with age, some shaking and others quick. There were those who were small and young and soft and gentle, and others that were short and others that were long. Every hand told a story of their life as they reached into the plate, took their piece of bread (a spiritual moment of touching Christ's body) and dipped it into the cup (a spiritual moment of touching Christ's blood). I was awed by the beauty of our God who welcomes all of our hands into God's love. I was caught in the reality of communion; our hands with God and with each other, in the forgiveness and hope and joy and struggle of our life. Each of our hands telling our story, as they touched God's story of grace and mercy, was a powerful spirit filled moment where heaven met earth in our hands; touching the face of God, and feeling the hands and side of Jesus Christ. It was a moment in our life where it appeared that God and God's people were reaching out to each other, and no matter who we were or what our hands had been through, we were welcome at God's table together. What a joy to be able to offer our hands to God in prayer and praise, and as a gift and sacrifice of our labor and life story as they engage the Holy in communion. Perhaps, our hands are blessed to become a blessing of hope for the world, where God's story can be told through our touch, and work, and caring, and direction, and expression.

Just a thought ...
Pastor Tom