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Blessed Be the Work of Our Hands

This is the in our country set aside for Labor Day, that time when we are to honor the labor movement in America and reflect upon work and its significance.  My first job was working in the accounting department of a large law firm in San Francisco and then of college I worked as a cast technician in an orthopedist's office.  After much discernment I came to understand that with the gifts and skills that has given me my work was to be as a minister.  Each of us devotes our life to certain labors, there are those who work in offices and warehouses, in stores or factories, those who work in the home raising a family; those who buy and sell; those who work by strength of arm or skill of hand; those who teach and those who govern.  Every day I see the laborers here on campus cutting grass, painting walls, serving food, emptying garbage, washing laundry, answering phones, holding hands, teaching classes and I am reminded that the psalmist prayed: “Bless the work of our hands, O Lord.” The work of our hands doesn't stop when we retire for we still labor to care for others, care for the earth, and live out our God-given purpose.  Every day I see your labors serving others and serving this in countless ways.  This week let us show honor and appreciation for the work of the hands around us, and let us also be thoughtful of those who are unable to work through disability or unemployment. May the Spirit bless all our labors. 

be the hands that touch young lives – babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Blessed be the hands that embrace others with .

Blessed be the hands that administer medicine, give aspirin, bandage wounds.

Blessed be the hands that prepare meals.

Blessed be the hands that wash dishes, clean floors, arrange flowers.

Blessed be the hands that anoint the sick and offer blessings.

Blessed be the hands that grow stiff with age.

Blessed be the hands that comfort the dying and have held the dead.

Blessed be the hands that capture a memory in art and poetry and song.

Blessed be the hands that guide the young.

Blessed be the hands that greet strangers.

Blessed be the hands that learn the way of justice.

Blessed be the hands that fill out applications, write papers, carry books, send e-mails.

Blessed be the hands that receive and sort , and hands that determine budgets.

Blessed be the hands; we hold the future in these hands.

Blessed be our hands, for they are the work of your hands, O Holy One. AMEN.*

Author Info: Peggy Roberts Verified Senior Staff
Chaplain Peggy Roberts is Vice President of the Spiritual Life Department here at Beatitudes. Peggy was ordained in the Presbyterian (USA) and has served in pastoral ministry as well as being a hospice chaplain.

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