Look at Your Hands. Why Are You Grateful for Them?

Where do you keep your to-do list? I am grateful my hand performs that function.

There are many ways in which we use our hands. Work, play, communicate, help others, take care of ourselves, and create are just some of the categories. I know this particular question is one we usually have our preschoolers answer.

But from time-to-time, I am reminded of how grateful I am to have two functioning hands. For my 8th self-portrait I am going to answer the question in the title. I will limit myself to my top 7 answers. (At least top 7 for today.)

1. To-do list. I often write my to-do list on my left palm. I can’t lose it and it is a constant reminder of what I want/need to do that day.
2. Fingernail polish. Without hands I wouldn’t have fingers with fingernails. And I really like it when my fingernails are painted. It’s like having a private art collection that is always with me. If you are in the greater Sacramento area, I suggest you call up my friend Sandra.
3. Hold. Without my hands I wouldn’t  be able to hold and thus use two of my favourite tools: my camera and blender.
4. Texting. I communicate A LOT through texting thanks to the fingers on my hands.
5. Tenderness. Hands can communicate affection to others. I can wipe away a tear and pat a head.
6. Praise. My hands are effective praise-makers. I can raise them in worship or use them to clap in-time (in theory anyway) with the music.
7. Bless. In Matthew 19:13-15 Jesus put His hands upon the children’s’ heads to pray for and bless them. My hands can do the same. In our weekly small group we take time to pray for and bless one woman. We put our hands on her as we pray.

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During November I am writing or posting a photo about something for which I am grateful. This explains why. 

Gratitude for November 17: I am grateful I have two functioning hands. When my shoulder was broken, I couldn’t use my left hand. It was tough in many ways, like eating, grooming, and even reading. Sometimes arthritis in my knuckles prevents me from opening things, even something simple like a water bottle.

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Your Turn . . . 

1. Take some time to answer the question, “Why are you grateful for your hands?” If you need some ideas, look at the categories I listed at the top of this post.
2. Write your own post or leave your answer in the comments. Keep them family-friendly. 😉
3. If doing this exercise with children, make it into a directed art project. Trace both child’s hands on any kind of paper. Have your child write one reason they are grateful along each finger and thumb. Use fun implements like markers, colored pencils, gel pens, or even puffy paint (my favourite).

NOTE: This is the 8th photo in the series, A Fall of Self Portraits, from my Fall Bucket List. Want to see how I am doing with my Fall Bucket List Goals? Go here.

• Photo 1: Hair & Memorizing
• Photo 2: Love in a Box (an Operation Christmas Child shoe box that is)
• Photo 3: Cell Phone Replaces Many Gadgets
  
• Photo 4: Done is Better Than Perfect
• Photo 5: 10 Things to do When Your Energy is Low
• Photo 6: Knowing How to Help Makes Me Grateful
• Photo 7: Making Stuff in the Kitchen Meme

Related Posts . . . 

• I am Written on God’s Hand This is a marvelous truth!
• How to Correctly Peel a Banana This is how monkies peel a banana. When my shoulder was broken, a friend sent me this link. No more smashing and biting. At last I could (awkwardly) peel a banana by putting the stem end under my arm and peeling from the noon-stem end.

THIS TITLE WAS A WRITING PROMPT  FROM CREATIVITY PORTAL.