I am one of those people
who raise their hands in worship.
You know the ones.
Are you one of the ones?
Or do you think we’re crazy?
Crazy. adjective.
mentally deranged.
Deranged. verb. archaic.
Intrude on; interrupt.
I do not wish to intrude
[Intrude. verb.
to put oneself where
one is not welcome.]
on your experience with God.
What I really want is to be welcomed.
Look at my hands
open, empty, upheld
like one who comes in peace.
The first time I lifted my hands
during a song turned prayer
it was because the man on stage told a story
about his toddler’s greedy reach
wanting, wanting, wanting his father.
He said, Lifted hands
Say, See me.
Say, Hold me.
Say, I want you.
So that’s why I lifted hands.
Other reasons I raise my hands
these days
there are more reasons:
To volunteer
as tribute
raise a hand.
Choose me!
To agree
assent,
Amen!
To celebrate
like “Dynamite,”
I throw my hands up in the air.
Give me some space
for both my hands.
To bless
with the Psalmists,
Lift up your hands
in the holy place
and bless the Lord!
I will bless you as long as I live,
at your name,
I will lift up my hands.
To declare presence:
Jennifer Gerhardt,
here.
To ask
without interrupting,
to wait to be called on.
To stretch. verb.
to be made capable
of being longer or wider
without breaking.
To force open my hands
to let go
and receive.
And, a little,
to make a fool of myself.
Because I’m a fool.
Fool. noun. informal.
a person devoted…
-JL
Love this. I agree. Love you!
What a great way to see raised hands! Thanks