Twisting hair into braids 

Pouring the morning cup 

Interlocked - connecting one to another

Hands

The rough texture of his is familiar and comforting, always open and ready to hold mine

Or the way she takes her little version of mine, painted nails, soft skin, and lets me lead her

Or how on mine I write His Word

Because, somedays I know I won't want to keep going

And because everyday I need it

I need Him

When I am afraid, unsure, and feel myself sinking

Busy is easy

But I find my hands are strongest when they're still

Joined with his  

Folded in prayer

I need to remember when it's easy and when it's hard 

- It's HIS hand that holds me

"I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you up with my righteous right hand"

- Isaiah 41:10

And so when He asks me to use my hands to glorify Him

To write the note

To twist hair into braids

To change diapers

To pour the coffee and pack the pb&j for the 8,965th time

To give and serve those in need

To raise in worship

To lead 

To hold onto another

I can 

I will

Because He is holding me

No task too small

No task too big

For these hands

This life

Is held up 

And Strengthened

By His Righteous Hand

Linking up with Lisa Jo Baker and Five Minute Friday and on twitter at #fmfparty
Tonight's prompt - Hands

My Teacher The Past

The events of the past can not be undone
There are days I wish I could undo them
And moments when we sit and laugh at the times of uncertainty
In our limited view we ask questions that need not be asked 
And we lack answers for the questions that require simple faith 

The bravest choice my parents ever made
Was to let me learn
To let me fail
To let me come to a place where I needed HIM
Unable to see the future they prayed for me, fought for me, and waited for me


HE knew the path I would choose
HE knew how I would hurt HIM, and avoid HIM, 
It wasn't okay, but HE also knew how I would come to need HIM
For in that place of sin, of failure of need
I would learn
Learn from my mistakes, and doubts and questions and lies
Learn 
How HE had always been there and always would be
Learn, How I took Him for granted

How I didn't understand Him

Learn, How doubt isn't always a bad thing

But how ignoring Him always is

I thought there was something I could do to keep Him close or that my choices would push Him away - 
Turns out
HE is always the SAME
It's me who changes

The effects of my choices, and my learning are sensed in the now
I can not undo the sin
But Jesus has covered it 
And when I reflect on the person I was
I don't see the ugly choices - all I see is the learning
The grace
The waiting
The praying
The faith that was growing, and becoming my own
I was broken and conflicted
I am not anymore
But it's not because I'm special 
It's because I'm surrendered
Surrendered to a GOD who is always the SAME
And a miracle worker
And changing me
Working miracles in me

Living in faith isn't easy
But it's freeing
It's beautiful and covered in grace 
Grace that says
There is joy in the everyday, even the days void of happy 
Smile
There is a life of abundance I have planned for you - choose to breathe it in, hear my voice
Live
There is forgiveness for your mistakes, because you're still going to make them 
Accept It
There is light to guide your steps - choose to take the road less traveled
Walk
There is a hope for your future - choose to see beyond this broken world
Believe

What have you learned from your past?

Linking up with #TestimonyTuesday