MY FATHER'S HANDS
(Written in honor of my loving dad)

Next time you stand,
Take a look at your hands.
Over the years, what have they done?
You can only get to the Father through God's Son.

My father's hands have done a lot for me,
Some things I'd like for you to see.
They show the hard work he has done after 82 years,
His hands held me when I was in tears.

They were there when I came into this world, young and steady,
My dad was there & he was ready,
For a son to carry on his name,
Using his hands, we played many games.

For most of his life, he used his hands for work each day,
Putting them together at night to pray.
He used them to build a home for our family,
And still lives in it you see.

His hands were used to hold me when I was a baby boy,
I was a son who brought him much joy.
They were soft as he held me gently each day,
And handed me a bottle to enjoy.

His hands were there to fix things,
They pointed to the song in church we were to sing.
They dialed the phone when I was sick,
For the Doctor to come very quick.

His hands brought in money for us to buy food to eat,
They taught me some things that were really neat.
His hands fixed my car when it was broken,
One he gave me as a little token,
For the hard work that I had done,
After all, I was his youngest son.

His hands wrote the checks for me to go to school,
His hands were on me when I broke the rules.
They were there to show his love & give me a hug,
Anytime I gave his hand a tug.

His hands held the phone when we needed to talk,
They held mine when we took a walk.
He used them to help me with my school stuff,
And to this day, I still can't get enough,
Of his hands as I want to touch them,
They are the greatest part of him.

My dad's hands have touched many men,
His friendliness shows again and again.
People love him as he reaches out,
And his love still shows without a doubt.

My dad fought in a war and used his hands,
So that there would be peace in this land.
He was in the Navy & rode on a boat in the sea,
His service to our country means a lot to me.

My dad uses his hands to comfort me,
He holds me close & wants to be,
The greatest friend anyone could want now,
God will welcome him in Heaven and reach out,
To hold his hand without a doubt.

He uses his hands to do many things today,
As he uses them to make a point as he talks each day.
He wants peace in our family for all,
And still holds my hand when we walk down the hall.

I love to hold his hands when I see him,
They have much love, even when my life is dim.
You can feel his emotion as they reach to you,
To warm your heart because he is good through and through.

They used his hands to keep him alive when he was sick,
In them and I.V. Needle they would stick.
He didn't like this much,
But the nurses felt his loving touch.

He still uses his hands to protect us all today,
At night he puts them together so he can pray,
As he asks God to send His love from above,
Still my dad shares with us his love.

His hands have done much for all of us,
He even used to walk me to the bus.
He use to play catch with me,
And when I was young, he bought a horse for me to see.

My dad used his hands to teach me to fish,
God thank you for granting me this!
Fishing is the greatest thing for me,
It's my best way to relax, you see!

It was passed on to me from my dad,
For this gift I am very glad.
I have been able to use my own hands,
To teach others to fish, thanks to that man.

I used my hands to teach many to fish,
Including my own to boys.
They have helped others,
To bring them much joy,
So they could also learn to fish.

My dad used his hands to read me many stories,
As I praise Your name Lord, and give You the glory,
For giving me a father so great,
I wanted to thank him today before it was too late.

We take for granted what our hands have done,
But remember Jesus, Your only Son,
Who stretched out His hands to all of us on the cross,
Without that vision, our lives would be lost.

My dad still stretches out his arms for a hug today,
As he welcomes us into his home each day.
He raises his hands to say hello,
And waves to us when we go.

My dad has held my hand and promised me,
That he will wait in Heaven for me.
He will know where we can go,
To take our fishing gear & throw,
A lure into a lake in the sky,
And spend time together as the day passes by.

But if I happen to go first,
To him, I think this would be the worst
Thing to break his humble heart then,
So God, thank you for a wonderful dad again,
Having him in my life has been a blessing from you,
We both love you, too!

Father, take these hands when you are ready,
We patiently wait as You hold us steady,
While on this earth, using our hands to do Your will,
Lift us into to Heaven and hold us still,
So that we may touch the hands of Christ Jesus,
A final moment in eternity that will please us.

(October 2004)