Take my hands... Meditation...

    Today was Pentecost... At mass, our pastor spoke about the laying on of hands...
    He noted that, since the earliest days of Christianity, there has always been great power in the laying on of hands. Whenever he lays his hands on someone to give a blessing, he transmits the power of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, he doesn't even have to speak... The Spirit speaks to the soul... and the soul knows. He said he admits that he loves to be the instrument of the Holy Spirit. He knows his hands are not his own. They belong to Him.
     I know he was talking about his hands with regard to priestly duties... But I sat there thinking... How great would it be to live each day with the dedication that my hands are not my own, either. That everything I do would be nothing less than God working through me. What a thought. I would have a completely different day. Deliberate. Purposeful. Always loving. I would definitely have a happier family. A more ordered home. Time better spent. A day full of peace... with no regrets. A day where I was sure I did what I was sent here to do.
     As I thought of this, I was reminded of the time my youngest son received a little statue of Jesus, from our friend Sam, who was giving it away. It was broken... the hands were missing.  My son said, That's okay... we can be His Hands. Yes. We can be His Hands.
     Do you ever wonder why songs just seem to pop into your head after years and years? When I was a little girl, my mom was the music director for the mass our family always attended. Music was a big part of our lives.  The music was upbeat... and beautiful.  Thinking about those songs takes me right back to those happy days... sitting up front... singing along... swinging my feet, with their shiny little patent leather shoes. I have so many fond memories of going to church in those early days.
     Lately, while driving alone in the car, I have been singing this song from that time... Perhaps the Holy Spirit is speaking to my soul.  As beautiful as the lyrics are, the melody is even prettier.
     Take My Hands, by Sebastian Temple...
     Take my hands and make them as your own...
     And use them for your kingdom here on earth...
     Consecrate them to your care...
     Anoint them for your service where...
     You may need your Gospel to be sown.
     Take my hands, they speak now for my heart... 
     And by their actions they will show their love...
     Guard them on their daily course...
     Be their strength and guiding force...
     To ever serve the Trinity above.
     Take my hands, I give them to you, Lord...
     Prepare them for the service of your name.
     Open them to human need...
     And by their love they'll sow your seed...
     So all may know the love and hope you gave.
     Take my hands... Take my hands... Oh, Lord.