Have you ever given thought to your hands? Do you realize that who you are is expressed through your hands? Some people cannot utter a word without using their hands for emphasis, gesturing wildly to make their point during conversation. Some people show care and compassion with their hands as they console, make food and take it to neighbors. Still other people use their hands to create works of art. They use their hands in their profession, trade or craft.
I believe a person’s character is revealed in their hands. A person’s character is the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. We can use our hands to offer a cup of cold water to a thirsty person, work hard to help the weak among us, be generous with our time, talents, resources and love. Is it possible to have hands and not do these things? Absolutely! Some people would even say, “Why should I works to provide for someone else? Let them work for their own food, clothes, cars, etc.” Again, this goes back to our character. If we take the position of a giver, we show love to another human – no matter what that person may look or sound like.
I believe in living with “open hands”. To live with open hands means to live generously, to reach for others in need, to embrace life and love, to catch the blessings coming your way and share them with others. Open hands means we are eager to put food in and clothes on those in need. People with open hands will be compassionate and pray for others, caress and touch those who are hurting. While living this way, our hands can become dirty, scraped or raw. That is to be expected when we work with our hands. When the work is especially hard we may even sustain swollen, sore or scarred hands. These leftovers remind us of the sacrifice we have made to serve others.
I believe our hands are unique. No two people have the exact same hands. Sure there is a family resemblance, but only you have your fingerprints. You have your very own unique identity. As such, your hands are an expression on your unique character and you can use them for good. In your hands lie blessings, healing and altruistic care. On the other side of the character issue would be using your hands to inflict cruelty or punishment on another person. We can choose how we use our unique hands – as a blessing or a curse.
I believe the wisdom found in the Scripture of the Bible. In Acts 20:35, Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” In the book of wisdom, Solomon writes that if we give freely we will grow richer, while if we withhold from others we will suffer from want (Proverbs 11:24). This is a biblical lesson in harvesting and reaping what you sow. If we sow the actions of giving freely, we will receive blessings in return, but if we are selfish and withhold things from those in need, we will find ourselves in need and having to ask for help.
I believe that the purest form of love is to help someone who can do nothing for you in return. The Bible names orphans and widows to be in this group of people. Orphans and widows represents the neediest people group in our community. The orphan child needs someone to step in and care for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. The widow has lost her partner and source of income for provisions.
What can you set your hand to today? Take a few minutes to consider your hands. Where have they been lately? Have they helped anyone recently? Have they sought out someone to care for? Is there someone you can bring healing to through your healing, compassionate hands?