• The Bountiful Hand
I was driving through Dinuba, CA this week. As I was leaving town, I noticed this unusual monument out of the corner of my eye. I began to wonder about it more, so I turned around to see what this giant hand was all about. I went back to check it out.
I read this plaque at the bottom. It was called “The Abundant Hand.” In the hand was some grapes, symbolic of the abundance of the region. Undoubtedly, Caroll Barnes, who sculpted this giant hand out of redwood, understood something of the importance of God’s Hand as source of the abundance of this valley. It really could not mean anything else. This monument stood as a clear reminder that the abundance of this valley came from the blessings from the Hand of Almighty God.
I began reflecting on this more as I continued down the road towards home. The Scriptures make mention of bountiful plenty coming from the Hand of God. I think in our busy lives we can forget that all good things come from God’s Hand. I began thinking about our national abundance and all the poverty I experienced in India, Panama and Mexico this summer. It was just an overwhelming thought.
It seems every time I drive through the San Joaquin Valley of California I am impressed with miles and miles of abundance, trees and fields just loaded with produce. Then I began to think about the coming of Thanksgiving. We usually count the ways God has provided for us so bountifully. I am being challenged by God to reach out to the needy and the poor in new ways, more than ever before. I often wish I had more to give.
I think we have a responsibility to share lots of our abundance with those with Hands of Need. Maybe we can reach out to those needy hands around us or even far away with our hands of abundance? We need to be thankful and generous for what God’s Hand of Abundance has provided. Maybe we could think and pray about what you can do now to share with the poor and needy.
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