Grace

We wash them repeatedly and slather them in lotion, yet when was the last time we considered the benefits of our hands? Generally, we take them for granted, yet think how it would alter our lives if we lost the use of our hands. Many people have.

We couldn’t stroke a child’s forehead or pat a pet. We couldn’t carry a purse or open our wallets. Penning letters would be a thing of the past. We would have to let others applaud for us and thread our needles. We couldn’t test squeeze fruit, apply lipstick, or ride our bikes. And who would paint our toes, powder our nose, and help us with our hose?

Hands are involved in many grace-filled tasks, but one I had not considered that Job brought to my attention some years ago was that of putting my hand over my mouth. Of course, I do that when I cough, sneeze, or am aghast, but Job — get this — did it to prevent his shallow words from spilling out.

Imagine that! Our hands are mouth restraints. And guess what else? Our mouth fits perfectly inside of our hands. Like a garage. And if our mouths are too expansive to fit in one hand, we have a second one to cover the excess. A two-car garage!

So here’s the question: How often could we and others benefit if we parked our lips in our arched palms before we said something harsh, sarcastic, unsavory, unnecessary, selfish, or spiteful? I’ve found if I pause even for a few seconds, often the pressing need to expound or explode passes. And what replaces my mouthy urge is relief — grace-producing relief.

Need a helping hand?

Patsy Clairmont

Taken from Women of Faith Devotional Bible