“You have your hands full” is a phrase people will sometimes tell me. Sometimes it is said with good intentions (and sometimes not). I struggle to hear it because it brings up my own insecurities and doubt about my ability to parent (or sometimes to survive the day).
And yet, the phrase is true.
In fact, I haven’t met a mother yet whose hands were not full.
Sometimes our hands are literally full – carrying bags and books, hands and children, snacks and trash. But they are also full of the work of mothering – driving, washing, feeding, sweeping, wiping, rocking, stroking, holding – all on a continual (and often sleep deprived) repeat.
It is the devil who tries to tip these scales – to convince our own already wandering heart that all our doubts and insecurities are true. That our hands are filled with drudgery, inconvenience, and inevitable failure.
The light of Christ helps us see something quite different.
My hands are full of children and blessing.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them! ~ Psalm 127:3-5
My hands are full of God’s abundant life.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ~ John 10:10
My hands are full of His grace and good work, covering my own feeble attempts.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:8
My hands are full, lifted in strength not my own.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20
My hands are full.
Thank you, Lord.
Photo by Isaac Quesada on Unsplash
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