09/28/2026
Sunday Gratitude • When My Hands Are Empty
For months, these hands have been busy each day,
Building and planning, preparing the way.
They've written and created, they've carried and tried,
While hope and uncertainty walked side by side.
But life has a way of reminding us too,
That plans aren't the only things asking for you.
Sometimes your heart must turn somewhere else,
When someone you love needs your prayers and your help.
And lately my thoughts have been scattered and worn,
Carrying worries from evening to morn.
Trying to focus while quietly afraid,
Whispering prayers for the ones whom I've prayed.
Some worries are private; they don't need a name.
Some battles are personal, tender with pain.
Some nights all you have is a prayer in the dark,
And faith like a flicker protecting its spark.
I've tried to stay present. I've tried to stay strong.
I've tried to keep moving when days have felt long.
I've answered the questions. I've handled each task,
While carrying worries that nobody asked.
But today, if I'm honest, these hands need some rest,
From carrying worries and trying their best.
From holding tomorrow while managing today,
And searching for answers that won't come my way.
I wish I could tell you I'm peaceful today,
That worry and heartache have faded away.
But gratitude shouldn't require a disguise,
Or a smile that conceals what we're feeling inside.
Sometimes being grateful means telling the truth:
“Father, I'm tired. I need more of You.”
No beautiful speech. No pretending I'm fine.
Just placing these worries in hands greater than mine.
There are things I can't fix, though I desperately try,
And questions I've carried while asking God why.
There are people I love I can't heal with my hands,
And moments when faith means I won't understand.
And maybe that's where surrender begins—
Not giving up hope or believing fear wins.
But knowing some burdens were never designed
To live every moment in my heart and my mind.
So today I am grateful—not because all is well,
Or because there's a happy conclusion to tell.
Not because every worry has somehow disappeared,
Or because I've stopped feeling uncertain or scared.
I'm grateful for love that makes worrying worthwhile,
For moments of laughter, a touch, or a smile.
For people who quietly help me get through,
And prayers that remind me what faith still can do.
I'm grateful that God doesn't ask me to know
Every answer, each reason, or which way things go.
He simply reminds me when strength disappears,
I don't have to carry alone all my fears.
So tonight I won't wrestle tomorrow away,
I'll simply be present with what I have today.
I won't search for answers that haven't appeared,
Or borrow tomorrow to carry today's fears.
I'll open my hands that have held on so tight,
And give You my worries, at least for tonight.
The people I love, every hope, every plan—
I'll trust what I can't hold to much stronger hands.
For maybe surrender is not letting go
Of the people and dreams that I've cherished and known.
Maybe it's trusting, when I don't understand,
That I don't have to carry
what already rests in His hands.
Have a beautiful and blessed Sunday, my friends.
