The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. -William Ross Wallace (1819-1881)

I use this quote not as a means to elevate women above men but as a reminder of our worth and dignity in the eyes of God. Without the gift of fertility and the ability to procreate, mankind would cease to exist. God gave the directive to be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it (Gen 1:28). He also called a woman to fight against the serpent (Satan), putting enmity between us.

This is a great calling, and he gave us all we need to accomplish it. He blessed our hands to be instruments in this great mission and war.

From the moment a child comes into the world and is laid in our hands, we are commissioned to use these hands to love and care for them. How we do that will help form the person they become. It is an awesome responsibility, but even the smallest of acts is important.

These hands are called to care for them—from wiping bottoms and noses to wiping tears. We have to be willing to get dirty, clean up messes, and wash faces, bodies, dishes, and laundry. We must endlessly open doors, jars, packages, and backpacks. We unzip, unbutton, untangle knots—in hair, shoestrings, and chains. We prepare food; we prepare minds. We teach, we discipline, we serve. We nurture with as much love as possible. We hold, we comfort, and we soothe everything from scrapes and bruises to broken hearts.

We form warriors for God’s kingdom to continue the battle. These hands become worn and weary but continue to touch, to heal, and to help.

For those women called to spiritual motherhood, a gentle touch of your hand comforts another as they share their hearts. You perform acts of service in lending a hand to the young and the old, assisting those in need with the special gifts that God has given you to share with those precious hands. Without your presence, we, with hands already full, would be lost and sometimes helpless. Thank you.

Look at your beautiful hands. The hands that help and heal, but, more importantly, the hands that pray. The hands that worship, the hands that receive. The hands that surrender all to a most loving Father. The hands that touch and anoint with love a child, a spouse, a parent, a friend—for the last time—and trust them into the hands of our Lord.

God gave us hands to use to share his love. Hands can hurt or heal. Hands can bring about God’s kingdom here and now.
Bless these hands, O Lord. We pray that they may always do your will.

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Rules the World by William Ross Wallace (1819-1881)

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace.
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;

Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy’s the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mothers, first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow —

Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission,
Here upon our natal sod;
Keep – oh, keep the young heart
open always to the breath of God!

All true trophies of the age
are from mother-love impearled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
and the sacred song is mingled
with the worship in the sky —

Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.