For When Your Handprints Leave Heartprints

What are the most unforgettable hands you have known?

Almost all you have learned has been filtered through your hands: turning over, crawling, walking, eating, bathing, and dressing.

At one time, your greatest accomplishment was tying your own shoes.

Think of how many activites they've mastered and things created. Remember the day you learned to write your own name?

They've also reached out to help someone else, to carry a burden, or wipe away tears.

What about all the work they've done? The cold and heat, soreness and bruises, bleeding and healing, and tiredness and aching they've felt.
 

Your hands have expressed anger, yet also gentleness, tenderness, compassion and love.

Think of all the hands that have left their imprint on you. A teacher, a composer, an artist, a pastor. Perhaps the hands of a loved one held for the last time this side of heaven. 

Reflect how often your hands have been folded in prayer -- both a sign of their powerlessness and of their power. 

When you extend your hands to another, it's not just skin and bones. They carry your heart.
 

A handshake is the real heart transplant.
 

The hand has its own memory. Think of all the places that carry your handprint. The touch's warmth will fade, but the print is there forever.

Handprints are the heartprints that can never be erased.

Jesus knew that.

 

With great love His hands healed the sick, touched lepers, and restored sight to the blind.

 

His hands bear the nail scars He endured to offer us the hope of salvation.

 

And He left us with this command: "Love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12) 

 

So as you go about your day, how will your hands convey His heartprint to others?

.