When I was a kid, my hands looked like they would have long fingers like my mother's, good for playing the piano. When I was a kid, my hands were also a perpetual war zone, because I was an avid fingernail-chewer.
Over time, my hands have become many things (and I've long since given up the fingernail-biting). They have not become the hands of a concert pianist, but they have become hands that can yet play through favorite and familiar hymns. These hands have clasped together with hands next to mine in college choir, singing hand in hand and voice in voice. These hands have typed millions of words throughout my career as a student and as a pastor. These hands have pulled thistles from the garden and they have held babies. They have anointed the sick and blessed the dying. These hands have been manicured for weddings and these hands have scattered dirt over holy bodies at graveside services.
For each of us, our hands have done work more meaningful than we might ever realize. In our daily vocations - our careers, our hobbies, our family lives - our hands do the work of our heads and our hearts.
This September 11th marks both the fifteenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the fourth year of the ELCA's God's Work Our Hands Sunday. Both of these events remind us that our hands can be used either for doing good in the world or for causing pain.
We have a number of service opportunities planned for this year's God's Work Our Hands Sunday. Plenty of opportunities to use your hands and your heart as signs and symbols of God's hand in our world. Our hands will tie quilts and assemble school kits to be distributed through the good work of Lutheran World Relief. Our hands will package bulk foods into family-sized portions to be distributed through our community food pantry. Our hands will make greeting cards that will be sent to brighten the day of fellow church members. Our hands will help collect winter gear for children in need. Our hands and feet will lead us through an afternoon Walk for Water fundraiser, where you will bring a small donation and your walking shoes, and where you will gain a new understanding and appreciation for all those around the world faced with the challenge of securing clean water You can find more details inside about all of these projects - please plan to join us!
Your hands - whether they are smooth or wrinkled, weak or strong, big or small, flexible or gnarled, intact or misshapen - are the hands of Christ. It is by your hands that the work of God is accomplished on earth. Today, take a moment to look at your hands and to think deeply about all of the ways that they have been a blessing in this world. Give thanks to God for all the opportunities that you have been given to love and serve throughout your lifetime. And go forth to use those hands, however you are able, to share God's peace, love, and joy!