THE PRAYING HANDS

The "Praying Hands" are much, much more than just a work of art,

They are the " soul's creation" of a deeply thankful heart-

They are a Priceless Masterpiece that love alone could paint,

and they reveal the Selflessness of an unheralded saint-

Those hands so scarred and toilworn, tell the story of a man

Who sacrificed his talent in accordance with God's Plan-

For in God's Plan are many things man cannot understand,

But we must trust God's judgement and be guided by his Hand-

Sometimes He asks us to give up our dreams of happiness,

Sometimes we must forego our hopes of fortune and success-

Not all of us can triunph or rise to heights of fame,

And many times What should be Ours, goes to Another Name-

But he who makes a sacrifice, so another may succeed,

Is indeed a true disciple of our blessed Saviour's creed-

For when we "give ourselves away" in sacrifice and love,

We are laying "up rich treasures" in God's kingdom up above-

And hidden in gnarled, toilworned hands is the truest Art of Living,

Achieved alone by those who've learned the "Victory of Giving"-

For any sacrifice on earth, made in the dear Lord's name,

Assures the Giver of a Place in Heaven's Hall of Fame-

And who can say with certainty Where the Greatest Talent Lies,

Or Who Will Be The Greatest In OUr Heavenly Father's Eyes!

HELEN STEINER RICE

WHEN I READ THIS POEM AND THINK OF HOW GOD LOVED AND

SACRIFICED HIS ONLY SON FOR US IT MAKES ME WONDER HOW

MUCH AM I WILLING TO GIVE FOR HIM. I CANNOT GIVE ANY LESS

THAN MY SOUL INTO HIS KEEPING FOR ETERNITY AND MY WITNESS

FOR HIM HERE ON EARTH. PLEASE HELP ME TO SPREAD THE WORD.