John 10:29

My Daddy's Hands

When I was in elementary, my daddy would ask me to give him a manicure. One time I tried to give him a pedicure, but his feet were harder and tougher than boot leather. Kid you not. His hands were not much better, but he would soak them in some warm water to soften them up a little before I applied the lotion to his hands and cuticles. His hands are easily identified.

I worked so hard to push his cuticles back and buff his nails smooth. I don’t know if he could tell a difference or not by the time I was done, but it was time we had sitting side by side.

My daddy’s hands would beat my behind like a drum when I was a baby because that was the only way I’d go to sleep.

My daddy’s hands put together a swing set in the candlelight in an unheated shed, so we would have a surprise from Santa when we got up on Christmas morning.

My daddy’s hands would teach my sister to fish and would hold my hands on a shotgun while I tried to aim.

My daddy’s hands would rub my back.

My daddy’s hands are the ones I would put my feet in and let him pump me up and down. Obviously momma wasn't home. Circus tricks were only attempted in her absence.

My daddy’s hands are also the ones who plucked me out of a church pew when I was misbehavin’ to go wear my behind out. His hands disciplined me on more than one occasion. He used to tell people the reason I didn’t have much of a behind is because of how frequently I received spankings.

My daddy’s hands would hold my hands when we had dates or anytime I rode next to him in the truck.

My daddy’s hands would open the doors for my mom and hold them for me when we had dates.

My daddy’s hands placed my hand into the hand of the man I married.

My daddy’s hands have rocked and played with my children.

My daddy’s hands garden and have the strength of a vice grip.

I know everyone doesn’t have a daddy with these kind of hands, and for that I’m truly sorry.

But we do have is a Heavenly Father who has something very unique about His hands, and it makes them easily identified.

Isaiah 49:16, Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

your walls are continually before me. ESV

Some translations read He has inscribed or written us into the palm of His hands. Do you know what are in the palms of Jesus? Nail scars. As daughters of the One True King, we are written, engraved permanently in the hand of God. John 10:29, My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

Whether you had, have or didn’t have a good earthly father, we have a wonderful Heavenly Father. So, Abba, Happy Father’s Day.

Our Father’s hands knitted and created you in your mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:14)

Our Father’s hands turns darkness into light and makes the rough places smooth. (Isaiah 42:16)

Our Father’s hands work to make His will known.

Our Father’s hands holds the world in space.

Our Father’s hands discipline us when we need it, how we need it, and how frequently we need it.

Our Father’s hands has prepared a wonderful place called heaven for you and me.

We have a pretty amazing Father.