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 -

These hands so scarred and toil worn,
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 judgment
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 triumph
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, toil worn 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~