Folks-
I invite you today to pay attention to your hands. They are marvelous instruments. Can you imagine a life without them? I’ve missed holding hands with residents, something I did all the time while visiting. I just ordered a native American flute that I am very excited about learning and getting my hands in shape for playing. We communicate through our hands.
Today, appreciate your hands.

Here is a Hand blessing for you to use:
Blessed be the work of your hands, O Holy One.
Blessed be these hands that have touched life.
Blessed be these hands that have nurtured creativity.
Blessed be these hands that have held pain.
Blessed be these hands that have embraced with passion.
Blessed be these hands that have tended gardens.
Blessed be these hands that have clenched in anger.
Blessed be these hands that have planted new seeds.
Blessed be these hands that have harvested ripe fields.
Blessed be these hands that have cleaned, washed, mopped, scrubbed.
Blessed be these hands that have become knotty with age.
Blessed be these hands that are wrinkled and scarred from doing justice.
Blessed be these hands that have reached out and been received.
Blessed be these hands that hold promise of the future.
Blessed be the works of your hands, O Holy One.

You may know of a resident who might need this blessing. Feel free to share it.

May you know the power of love most often resonating through the works of our hands. May you be touched with love and care today.

– Rev. Michelle DeCoste