“He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here on my scars, see my hands… Believe, trust’” (pp John 20:27).
“I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid …“(Isa.41:13).
“No one will seize, snatch, or steal them (you) out of my hand” (Jn.10:28).
Dear Jesus, you come to us bringing “grace at just the right time” in a variety of ways (Rm.5:6, Heb.4:16). Manna in the wilderness and rain in a drought, late night visitations (Ps.119:147-148) and your early-morning love (Ps.143:5), through angels we don’t recognize (Heb.13:2) and friends that we do (2Cor.7:6). Thank you. A year ago, today you spoke this word to me and Darlene through Rose Marie Miller, our 100-year-old spiritual mom: “Good to let the ugly past rest in hands that have scars.”
She was talking about your hands, Jesus. Hands that made the world out of nothing. Hands that sustain atoms, molecules, and gravity. Hands that embrace children and terrify demons. Hands that washed feet before those same hands were nailed to the cross. Hands that are presently making all things new and ruling over the kings of the earth—scarred hands that will embrace and serve us on our ever-closer Wedding Day (Rev.19:7-10; Lk.12:37).
Jesus, we all have a portion of life we call ugly past—things done by us and to us. We also have present struggles—messes and messy relationships we can’t fix. Likewise, we share an unknown future—BUT (Hallelujah!) with a very knowable you. Taking Rose Marie’s timeless advice into today’s realities—we entrust ourselves and everything else to your scarred, ever so beautiful, merciful and mighty hands. Jesus, thank you for loving now, holding us fast, keeping us forever. So Very Amen.