A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-16-08....Warm Fuzzy Wednesday ~ Grandma's Hands

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear voice strong.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.

"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

"They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me u p, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

03-27-07 ~ Hall of Fame #19 ~ Final

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 01-14,15-08 Military Tribute

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[luvie]

Adorable! :D

[MEG33]

Playing along!

[MEG33]

Groovin!

[luvie]

ROFL! Thanks! Let ‘er rip!

That one with the sax is what I needed for Koz! :D

[MEG33]

Thank you! Glad you have a day off, Luv.

[MEG33]

Snag it.

[The Mayor]

January 16, 2008

What On Earth Are We Doing?

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: 1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. —1 Corinthians 10:31

“What on earth are you doing?!” You may have heard that phrase when your mom told you to clean your room and found you playing with your toys instead, or maybe when your teacher caught you passing notes in class.

But if God were to ask you this question, how would you respond?

Paul tells us that as followers of Jesus we have been put on this earth to bring glory to God in everything we do. So what should that look like?

God’s glory is the manifestation of all that He is in His unsurpassed, stunning perfection. It is His amazing love, His wide mercy, His deep grace. His glory is seen in His truth, justice, wisdom, and power. To glorify Him means that we have the high privilege of showing Him off in a world that is totally unaware of what He is really like. Acts of mercy to the undeserving, grace to the needy, forgiveness to an offender, living wisely according to His will—all give glorious visibility to the character and quality of our God.

There are a lot of misconceptions floating around about God. It’s our job to let others see what He is really like. And, when they like what they see, let’s be sure to let them know who taught us to live like that. It’s not a good idea to steal God’s glory!

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Read more about living a life that gives glory to God by visiting this Web site: www.rbc.org/bible_study/strength_for_the_journey/daily/50599.aspx

May our lives be a “show and tell” for God’s glory.

Bible in One Year:  Genesis 34–36; Proverbs 6:12-19

[Lady Jag]

Snow white Wednesday's are extra warm & fuzzy.

[MEG33]

That is a bleeding heart in my picture. I noticed I had my mother’s hands years ago..with my dad’s spots. My son now is developing signs of my dad’s fair skin problems...My daughter has lovely hands.

[Lady Jag]

[MEG33]

AWwww That is so cute! I love to watch playtime. I hear you have lovely snow!

[luvie]

LOL! I did already! :D

I might use it again. This song is good...I am listening to
it over and over and it’s giving me energy!

I need energy today to get stuff done! LOL!

[ConorMacNessa]

LOL - Good afternonn, Lady Jag!

[Lady Jag]

One of my sisters has three pugs and they are real characters as well as being patriotic and conservative in Mass.

[luvie]

Jeff Jarvis~Silverbird

This little birdie loves to jam to
jazzy bird songs! :D

[luvie]

LOL!

That’s pretty specific!

[Mama_Bear]

What a sweet story about Grandma's hands.

Good morning, Billie. We are preparing to take Chachi up to Sacramento for back surgery scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. We are just tied up in knots over this, but it has to be done and we have found a top-notch veterinary neurosurgeon who will be doing the surgery. It's in God's hands and the surgeons. As a mutual friend said...."God, and a great vet.....can’t beat the combination. : )"

Hope you are having a good day. We have a typical gray January day here. Guess I had better quit playing around and start getting packed up to leave.

[MEG33]

You all are in my thoughts and prayers..I am glad that you found a surgeon you trust for Chachi and that you can get it done so soon. Holding your hand in cyberland.

[luvie]

Oh, dear! What is wrong with that sweet little Chachi? I hope that the surgery is successful and he returns to his normal health and you can quit worrying!

[MEG33]

Sweet poem, Spinner.Thank you!

(REPEAT)Warm and Fuzzy Video I Enjoyed

Otters Holding Hands

The Story Behind The Video..CBC Report