Ugly Hands

Recently, my parents have invested a lot of money into redoing our main bathroom. As much as I appreciate it's new aesthetic beauty, it has become a thing of contention. The bathroom has become my mom's pride and joy. It was custom designed by her and I appreciate that it means a lot to her. What I don't agree with, is that there are wildly strict rules about the use of this bathroom. The sink, a glass bowl, must be wiped after every use. There can be absolutely nothing left on the counters or on the window sill in the shower.. and so on. The reason this gets to me is simple. I don't believe that appearances should ever concur practical use. The bathroom has instantly transformed from a practical and frequently used bathroom, into a piece of art, to be admired.

I'm playing an acoustic show in about a week. It's a fundraiser for some friends who are going to Africa this summer. I've been practicing a lot lately and my hands have never looked more awful. My callouses are peeling and my hands are dry and cracked, since using hand cream only softens my hard-earned callouses. At my old job at a spa, the girls I worked with had gone to school to prevent people from having to walk around with hands that look like mine. Hands that are used and worked and pushed. It probably never occurred to them that I like my hands this way. I believe that ugly hands are usually the sign of an artist and I relish my callouses. I love having paint and ink stains on my hands; they show that I am an artist.. they show who I am.



I feel that all too often, people are so consumed with other's opinions that they fear to unleash who they truly are inside. I believe too many people will never try an art because they don't want ugly hands. Too many will refuse their giftings because they are afraid of how the world might perceive them. I know that some, if not most, are called to terrifying (but rewarding and always exciting) extremes and I can promise that these extremes will not be pleasing to the lost onlookers. But wouldn't it be a shame if we let our beautiful, hand crafted destinies take a seat on a shelf to be replaced by popularity.

I heard a man named Shane Claiborne speak last night. This man gave up his comfortable "normal" life and lives on the street as a homeless person, willingly. He felt a call to reach the homeless and he sacrificed his life to pursue God's desire for him. He called himself an extremist for love and I couldn't agree more. He's been arrested countless times in the name of justice and the Lord has walked him out of jail, much like he did with Paul. He is a true authentic Christian, and I'm sure he has ugly hands.


Our purposes, our callings, the things that make us come alive... these things are what life is truly all about. How can we be content to settle into an existence void of these things for the sake of our reputation? It is fact that we can not be extreme people for God, and been seen as popular by the world. It is a choice that every person must make. I pray that you might rise up and take hold of your extreme calling, forsaking earthly identity, and taking on a heavenly one. I wish for us to shed our fear of man and take up a true and passionate relationship with God. I look forward to a rising generation of people with ugly hands and beautiful hearts.