Humble Beginnings

Hands of a Hard Working Woman

My hands are rough, red, not even being close to manicured - and yet they tell a story.  The story of a hard working Mama who does it all - with her hands.  Gardening, cleaning, laundry, dishes, etc.  I do it all with my hands.  They show the hard work that I put into all that I do.  They are not the manicured, polished or soft.  They show lines and creases and cuts (from being too dry).  They rub backs, hoe the weeds in the garden, rake the leaves, turn the compost (with a shovel), plant the seeds, attach the hose to the slip -n- slide, hang the laundry on the line, massage a back or head, rub on sunblock, and the list continues.  At times I wish I had "coifed" hands - hands that would look presentable, not so red, not so dry - but rather soft and satiny with a beautiful manicure - but how useful is a manicure when you're gardening?

But let me tell you, these hands are not for the weak in body, mind or spirit.  They have had to do so many things in my lifetime.  I kind of liken them to a well-worn cowboy hat.  You know the kind I'm talking about - creased, stained, bent, but it just feels right when it sits on your head.  You couldn't imagine owning a better hat.  Every stain and crease tells a story giving that ol' cowboy hat character.  That's my hands.  Every line, crease and dry spot tells a story. 

And just when you think these little hands of mine couldn't do anything more ... they do...they fold together in prayer.  I thank God for these hands - no matter how "undignified" and "dry" they seem to others, they tell the story of what I do on a daily basis.  They praise the Lord for what He has blessed me with...for that I am grateful and thankful.

May the Lord bless each of you (and your hands) on this Mother's Day!