173.  God's Blessed Hands

(Given to a Heaven-Blessed Healer and Craftsman-Variation on a Theme)

We now live in a “second life”--
Before, we dwelt with God above.
We were His spirit children then--
We learned and grew through Father’s love. 

The time came for our mortal test.
Would we be valiant on this Earth?
Could we defy both sin and pain?
Would we improve our former worth?

One special day, before we left,
To Father’s throne we came to call.
We each sought talents, choice and kind,
That we serve Him by serving all.

Some sought the gifts of voice and speech,
To cheer and lift their mortal kin. 
While others sought great speed and strength,
To thrill the world with glorious wins. 

Some wanted awesome powers of mind,
Advancing knowledge their fierce goal. 
While others asked to plant or cook,  
To feed their brothers’ bodies and souls.

But some were slow to ask our Lord,
For double talents, crafts, and skills.
These knew that mortal life was harsh,
With grief and pain enough to kill.

Within such souls, a wordless want,
Arose that only God could feel.
These sought to be His Blessed Hands,
The sad to cheer, the ill to heal.

They first asked for a curer’s skills. 
With tender touch and fervent hearts,
They’d bind our wounds, make well the sick,
And give our lives another start.

Long days and griefs would be their lot,
As those they served would need their best.
And we would often fail to thank 
Kind healers who gained little rest.

Their second gift was one of craft, 
Designing, making, tools and aids.
Artistic works with metal and wood,
Would help the needy all their days.

We bid such know our great esteem,
For all they do for us each day.
For their kind service gives us hope,
That we can live in God’s own way.

Then let us praise them, one and all,
And know they labor not alone.
These are God’s hands for great and small, 
Until the time He calls them Home. 
 
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