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Jun 15, 2025 06:00am

The Father’s Hands

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In the 80s, there was a popular country song that I loved called “Daddy’s Hands”. Holly Dunn was the artist and she sang about memories of her dad’s hard working and loving hands. I still love these lyrics because they remind me of my own dad…

“I remember daddy’s hands workin’ ’til they bled

Sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed

If I could do things over, I’d live my life again

And never take for granted the love in daddy’s hands

Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was cryin’

Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong

Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’ve come to understand

There was always love in daddy’s hands”

As small children, we learn to gain safety and comfort from holding onto our father’s hand. Usually the very first thing a newborn babe does is wrap their tiny fingers around their daddy’s finger. From that point on, we hold their hand as we cross the street, after we’ve had a bad dream, if we’re unsteady on our feet. We learn discipline and judgment from those same hands. Those hands often point out directions to us or follow along as we read a book or songbook. Sometimes we’re just not strong enough to accomplish a task, like opening a jar or door, and we count on our father’s strong hands to meet us in our weakness. We’ve been hugged and consoled by those hands and probably had a tear or two wiped away by them. And sometimes they give us a great big pat on the back during a proud moment. There’s nothing quite as tender and intimate as holding someone’s hand. What a beautiful thing for a father to have so much promise and possibility in just his hands.

And what a wonderful picture of our heavenly Father.

The Bible tells us that God’s hands are:

Mighty (1 Peter 5:6)
Exalted and Valiant (Psalm 118:16)
Laid the foundations of the earth and span the heavens (Isaiah 48:13)
Hold the soul and breath of all mankind (Job 12:9-10)
Strengthen us, help us (Isaiah 41:10)
Powerful, defeat our enemies (Exodus 15:6)
Comfort us (Revelation 1:17)
Pull us out of bondage (Daniel 9:15)
Touch our hearts (1 Samuel 10:26)
Guide our words (Jeremiah 1:9)
Hold us up (Psalm 63:8)
Gentle (Psalm 18:35)
Lead us (Psalm 139:10)
Hold our salvation securely (John 10:28-29)
Engraved with love for us (Isaiah 49:16)
Correct us (Matthew 14:31)
Heal us (Matthew 8:3)
Were wounded for us (Matthew 24:39-40)
Scarred (John 20:20
Proof of His sacrifice for us (John 20:27)

If you’ve ever had a day where you long to hold your heavenly Father’s hands, know that you can. He already has them there, reaching out for you. Snuggle up in His embrace and let His mighty and gentle hands give you comfort, guide you, give you direction, pat you on the back, strengthen you, secure you. What a good, good Father we have.

They worked until they bled for you…Sacrificed unselfishly…If I could do things over, I’d live my life again, And never take for granted the love in daddy’s hands,

Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was cryin’…Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong…daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’ve come to understand…

There was always love in daddy’s hands.

“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess” ~ Martin Luther.