As I relaxed in the writing room, allowing the many thoughts to silence my mind, my subconscious requested a song to add to my cerebral playlist.
Alexa, play Grandma’s Hands by Bill Wither?
“Hmm-mmh… Hmm-mmh…. Hmm-mmh… Hmm-mmh”
“Grandma’s hands were clapping in church on Sunday morning. Grandma’s hands played a tambourine so well… Grandma used to issue warnings with her hands. She’d say, Billy, don’t you run so fast… Might fall on a piece of glass… There might be snakes there in that grass… Grandma’s hands.”
The acoustic guitar, ukulele, and piano, in conjunction with the song lyrics, induce the writer into a hypnosis state, transporting my thoughts into the time castle of my childhood and evoking memories of the time I spent with my grandmothers. This serves as a perpetual reminder of the care and guidance they provided in my life.
The writer allows the song to reverberate in her mind while rocking back and forth to the rhythmic flow of the song. While writing the story, she entertained other thoughts as the melody progressed to the next chorus, reflecting on the mothers and grandmothers in the church, neighborhood, senior citizen center, community, and beyond. By demonstrating the power of tenderness, love, and care through their hands, these women-like figures significantly influenced the younger generation. They made one feel welcome, gave delicate touches, held hands, hugs, and clasped hands in prayer in church.
The song also reminded me of Miss Clara Williams, who struck me as a genuine Godly woman. In ‘War Rooms,’ Miss Clara, played by actress Karen Abercrombie, used supplication as a weapon, harnessing God’s power to foil the enemy’s plots. Her hand also alleviates tension, allowing God’s people to feel at ease in her presence.
Miss Clara continues her mission in the Kendrick Brothers’ most recent film, The Forge, helping Cynthia Wright (portrayed by Priscilla Shirer) as she invoked her miraculous hands to pray to God for Cynthia’s son, Isaiah Wright. The women, who joined hands in the prayer circle, with two or three gather together in agreement (Matthew 18-20), allowed the power of their hands to manifest a miracle for a 19-year-old Isaiah, played by Aspen Kennedy, who needed guidance and direction in his life to set the tone in the beginning stage of his manhood.
As a single mother, Cynthia was exhausted from life’s pressure—working, maintaining her household, and not seeing commitment from her son to do something productive in his life. Frustrated, she challenges her son to seek employment and takes her issue to God, with the assistance of Miss Clara’s grandmother. The film depicted prayers that moved mountains and waves, paving the way for Isaiah’s encounter with Cameron Arnett’s portrayal of successful businessman Joshua Moore, who offered him employment. Moore employed him and utilized his influence to mentor him through discipleship, thereby transforming Isaiah’s life into the man God intended him to be.
Throughout the film, viewers witness Isaiah’s transformation. He permits God to use him, thereby purifying his actions, character, behavior, spirit, and mindset to resemble Christ. His capacity to forgive and become an effective worker exemplifies the transformative power of faith and prayer, especially when Mr. Moore needs him most in his business. Furthermore, it is crucial to uphold hope for God’s neglected flock and use your hands in a way that Grandma Hands exemplifies, through prayer, tenderness, love, and care.
The greatest credit goes to Miss Clara, the grandmother-like figure who facilitated God’s work and altered the atmosphere in Isaiah’s existence with her hands.
As the song approaches its conclusion, the film serves as a lesson on the reality that there is hope for God’s lost sheep in this world when life becomes difficult. The solution is to pray with faith. After praying, relinquish control and allow God to intervene in the situation.
“Hmm-mmh…” Hmm-hmm… “Hmm-mmh…” Hmm-hmm.”
The author concludes the narrative on a positive note, as evidenced by the song’s tranquil melody, which confirms that all is well.
