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On a recent Thursday evening we were out as usual showing our appreciation for those doctors, nurses and carers working on the front line in hospitals and care homes during this difficult time.
As I was clapping, I realised that in this very simple action we are communicating our feelings and recognising that every day these mostly unknown but special people are risking their lives in using their skilled hands to reach out to those affected by this deadly virus that has invaded our world.
How often have we heard that times like these bring out the best in people and unfortunately sometimes the worst in people. I would like to believe that more often than not it is bringing out the best in human nature. We are seeing and experiencing the evidence of this, as everyday we are hearing stories and seeing people reaching out to others by offering the hand of friendship and care to people who are less fortunate and for whom life is a struggle, or those less able to care for themselves at this time.
Those of us who are old enough to remember Max Bygraves recall him singing this song.
‘You need hands to hold someone you care for,
You need hands to show that you’re sincere,
When you feel nobody wants to know you,
You need hands to brush away the tears,
When you hold a brand new baby,
You need tender hands to guide them on their way,
You need hands to thank the Lord for living,
And for giving us this day.’
What we are learning in these time is that our hands are a means of reaching out to others, not only our friends, but also strangers who are in need, and this act of kindness can very often create a new friendship.
Everyday in every place you and I are leaving behind hand-prints, evidences of where we have been and the many lives we have touched with our kind words and actions.
Thinking about this, I wonder how many people we have left impressions of ourselves on today. In this present climate, we may not be able to shake someone’s hand or give them a hug or put an arm around their shoulder, but we can phone them or send a text message or a card as a reminder that we are thinking about them and praying for them.
Recently one of our neighbours surprised us when she brought us slices of a coffee cake she had just made.
This made us feel special because somebody thought about us enough to share in this way. (As an aside, the cake was delicious)
In these unprecedented times when we are surrounded by so much uncertainty and fear, how much we need to reach out and care for one another and help people to feel loved and needed.
What I am learning every day is that in leaving evidences of ourselves on the lives of others, we are also leaving evidences of a loving God who touches our lives daily and leaves His Hand-prints everywhere as a continual reminder of His loving care and protection.
For example, the smile of a child, or the tracing of a beautiful rainbow reminding us that God is never far from us, evidenced in many windows just now as a sign of hope for these troubled times and the promise of His continual Presence.
After the Resurrection when the disciples were locked in the upper room, Jesus made a second appearance and this time focussed his attention on Thomas, who being absent the first time had to see the prints of the nails in His Master’s hands before he could accept what the other disciples had already witnessed. Jesus invited Thomas to place his finger in the nail-printed hands of His Master and believe.
Jesus said to Thomas ‘So you believe because you have seen with your own eyes, Even greater blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.
We are part of that great company who are able to receive those greater blessings because we can see the Hand of God working everyday even in these troubled times. For these difficult days we can trust and take heart from the promises of a God who never fails or disappoints even when He seems far from us.
How important are our hands? During these difficult days when we are not allowed to do the simple act of holding someone’s hand or giving them a hug when they are experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one. It is so important for us to communicate, that we are held safely and securely in the hands of a Loving, Caring God.
When the question is asked; where is God in all this and when will it all end, where is the light at the end of the tunnel?
Let us look at the reassurances we have from God’s word that we are held securely in His hands.
‘Don’t be afraid, for I am with you, Do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.’ (Isaiah 41 verse 10)
‘God said, can a mother forget her baby, can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you, see I have written your name on my hand’ (Isaiah 49 verse 15/16)
‘For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41 verse 13)
I am reminded of that lovely song, 848 in the New Song Book
I’m in His hands whate’er the future holds, I’m in His hands,
The days I cannot see, have all been planned for me,
His way is best you see;
I’m in His hands.
A Concluding Thought.
I’ve learned that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand. Thank you God for our hands, may we use them to bless people today and not to harm them, may we use them in love and not in hate, may we use them to help and not to hinder, may we use them just like Jesus did in reaching out to others. Amen.
As I was clapping, I realised that in this very simple action we are communicating our feelings and recognising that every day these mostly unknown but special people are risking their lives in using their skilled hands to reach out to those affected by this deadly virus that has invaded our world.
How often have we heard that times like these bring out the best in people and unfortunately sometimes the worst in people. I would like to believe that more often than not it is bringing out the best in human nature. We are seeing and experiencing the evidence of this, as everyday we are hearing stories and seeing people reaching out to others by offering the hand of friendship and care to people who are less fortunate and for whom life is a struggle, or those less able to care for themselves at this time.
Those of us who are old enough to remember Max Bygraves recall him singing this song.
‘You need hands to hold someone you care for,
You need hands to show that you’re sincere,
When you feel nobody wants to know you,
You need hands to brush away the tears,
When you hold a brand new baby,
You need tender hands to guide them on their way,
You need hands to thank the Lord for living,
And for giving us this day.’
What we are learning in these time is that our hands are a means of reaching out to others, not only our friends, but also strangers who are in need, and this act of kindness can very often create a new friendship.
Everyday in every place you and I are leaving behind hand-prints, evidences of where we have been and the many lives we have touched with our kind words and actions.
Thinking about this, I wonder how many people we have left impressions of ourselves on today. In this present climate, we may not be able to shake someone’s hand or give them a hug or put an arm around their shoulder, but we can phone them or send a text message or a card as a reminder that we are thinking about them and praying for them.
Recently one of our neighbours surprised us when she brought us slices of a coffee cake she had just made.
This made us feel special because somebody thought about us enough to share in this way. (As an aside, the cake was delicious)
In these unprecedented times when we are surrounded by so much uncertainty and fear, how much we need to reach out and care for one another and help people to feel loved and needed.
What I am learning every day is that in leaving evidences of ourselves on the lives of others, we are also leaving evidences of a loving God who touches our lives daily and leaves His Hand-prints everywhere as a continual reminder of His loving care and protection.
For example, the smile of a child, or the tracing of a beautiful rainbow reminding us that God is never far from us, evidenced in many windows just now as a sign of hope for these troubled times and the promise of His continual Presence.
After the Resurrection when the disciples were locked in the upper room, Jesus made a second appearance and this time focussed his attention on Thomas, who being absent the first time had to see the prints of the nails in His Master’s hands before he could accept what the other disciples had already witnessed. Jesus invited Thomas to place his finger in the nail-printed hands of His Master and believe.
Jesus said to Thomas ‘So you believe because you have seen with your own eyes, Even greater blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.
We are part of that great company who are able to receive those greater blessings because we can see the Hand of God working everyday even in these troubled times. For these difficult days we can trust and take heart from the promises of a God who never fails or disappoints even when He seems far from us.
How important are our hands? During these difficult days when we are not allowed to do the simple act of holding someone’s hand or giving them a hug when they are experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one. It is so important for us to communicate, that we are held safely and securely in the hands of a Loving, Caring God.
When the question is asked; where is God in all this and when will it all end, where is the light at the end of the tunnel?
Let us look at the reassurances we have from God’s word that we are held securely in His hands.
‘Don’t be afraid, for I am with you, Do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.’ (Isaiah 41 verse 10)
‘God said, can a mother forget her baby, can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you, see I have written your name on my hand’ (Isaiah 49 verse 15/16)
‘For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41 verse 13)
I am reminded of that lovely song, 848 in the New Song Book
I’m in His hands whate’er the future holds, I’m in His hands,
The days I cannot see, have all been planned for me,
His way is best you see;
I’m in His hands.
A Concluding Thought.
I’ve learned that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand. Thank you God for our hands, may we use them to bless people today and not to harm them, may we use them in love and not in hate, may we use them to help and not to hinder, may we use them just like Jesus did in reaching out to others. Amen.
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Listen to this lovely song from the Musical Hosea sung by The International Staff Songsters.
‘If human hearts are often tender.’ And human minds can pity know, If human love is touched with splendour, And human hands compassion show.. Then how much more will God our Father in love forgive... Click on the image to start the song |
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Note: This series of 'Pause for Thought' started on Monday 4th May. To find these previous thoughts go to the Archive section of the website listed under the 'more.....' tab at the top of the page. On the 'Daily Pause for Thought' section of the website we will only keep 2 weeks of contributions before putting them into the Archive.
Can you help?
In this current situation when our church doors are closed to our normal activities but our work to support those in need our normal source of funds (Sunday Tithes and Offerings) have reduced dramatically. We need your help, so that we continue to be ready to meet the ongoing needs of our community that will undoubtedly impact beyond this lock down period. If you are willing to help please visit our Just Giving Page to make a donation to this work. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bedfordsa