This post was contributed by Kevin Schrapel, and is the author’s personal opinion.

Often children who have had loving relationships with their fathers have memories of the strength of their father’s hands.

When asked about those memories, they will include “I remember him throwing me in the air and catching me”, or “the hard callouses from the hard work he did with his hands”, or “his hand would rest on my head as we walked along, and I would know he loved me”.

I remember my dad sometimes wrote reminder notes on his hand with a biro.

In the book of Isaiah, chapter 29, verse 16, God says, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands”.

Engraved – never to be washed off or worn off, not like biro.

What does it mean that God has engraved you onto the palm of his hand?

It means you are part of him, and his love for you can never be erased.

In Psalm 139:14, King David wrote, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made”.

Part of being fearfully and wonderfully made is your handprint, which shows your uniqueness.

Look at the palm of your hand.

Recognise the lines and give a name to a line to remind you of what our loving heavenly father offers to bring to your individual life.

The forgiveness line

Use this line to remember that our heavenly father is a forgiving father.

To anyone who truly trusts that God’s son, Jesus, died and came alive again to pay for anything that hurts God, he says, “You are forgiven; we are friends; now make sure you don’t hold grudges against others”.

A king who had not always lived as God would want said, “I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them; I said to myself, ‘I will confess them to the Lord’, and you forgave me; all my guilt is gone” (Psalm 32:5).

The love and friendship line

This line should be a reminder that no matter what, God consistently and continually loves you and wants to be a caring friend to you.

His word tells us, “neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

A wisdom line

One of the things God promises to those who are happy to call him “father” is wisdom.

When we become confused, unsure what to do or how to handle situations in life, it is good to remember that he has promised: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5).

A line for understanding

Understanding the things of God’s love can often be challenging.

While faith is talked about concerning God, he also wants us to understand him and his ways.

He tells us, “Seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened; for everyone who asks, receives; anyone who seeks, finds; if only you will knock, the door will open” (Matthew 7:7-8).

Don’t be afraid to ask for understanding.

A hint: take a photo of your hand, if possible, print it and write what lines you will use to remind yourself that you are “engraved on God’s hand”.

Most of us have two hands, so next week we will look at the other hand and more promises of God.

Have a great week – and thanks to God and Pastor Greg Campion of Grace Church, Port Macquarie for starting the thought process.

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