Dedicated Hands

From days of working in the clinic, I have come to know a number of mothers and their children. (Although they seem to have an easier time remembering my name, than I do their's). They have expressed their gratefulness, yet in knowing them, I feel entirely blessed. Their service to the children of their community and country, leading to the fulfilment of the greatest of His commandments is one of the most devoted and loving acts I have seen. To care for, raise and love children who are not your own, when they themselves have endured so much – it is more than a job, but a dedication of self.

One mother had a large abscess in her hand, that caused an intense amount of pain and swelling. One of the doctors cut open her hand between the middle and forefinger, to drain the pus from the infection, yet the incision was deep and the location was unfortunate. As a mother, I only knew so much how she needed her hands, and I worried how daily, there seemed to be little improvement, as we drained, cleaned and bandaged the wound. Finally, not knowing what else to do, I asked if I could pray for her hand, and motioned another one of my patients to join us. The three of us stood praying, in the Ugandan way where everybody prays at once, and we asked for healing. I had just finished reading in Matthew - “If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 18:20.

The weekend came and went, and she being unable to come back until Monday. The bandage had come off and to my surprise, I saw that the wound looked times better than it ever had, infection minimal, and the gap was slowly closing. I covered it once more, not wanting to give opportunity to infection, and asked her to keep coming back knowing that healing was on it's way. I do not doubt that more than we wanting healing, God wanted all the more to preserve the hands so faithfully and daily dedicated to His work and glory.