Open Hands
This might come off as a really cheesy post, but I can't get it out of my head...so here we are.
I was talking with a friend recently about dating. Sometime during the conversation about not getting our hopes up but not being shut off, it led us to the topic of how we approach life in general that way. I said that I hated when I found myself holding my breath during the good times because I'm waiting for the bottom to fall out. She agreed that a lot of people probably feel that way, her included. Then she said, "What if we just had an attitude of open hands in our lives?" and she held her hands out in front of her, palms up. (I probably frowned). She explained her point: If something comes to you, then your hands are open and ready for it, not closed-fisted and shut off. If it gets taken from you, then your hands will have held it but not too tightly to where you can't let go.
It was so simple, but it has been on this whispering loop in my mind since then.
open hands. open hands. open hands.
I sat in my apartment last night with my palms up, looking at my little hands.
open hands. open hands. open hands.
I found myself praying whatever You give me, I'll love it and steward it and be thankful for it and glorify You. And whatever is taken from me, I'll let You have it and glorify You anyway.
My career, my money, my relationships, my joy, my heartache, my(someday)marriage/husband, my(someday)children, my home.
open hands. open hands. open hands.
I don't think open hands are an excuse not to take responsibility or to be passive and not fight for the things you want, or that you won't protect what is entrusted to you. I think it means you're willing to take what is given to you and let go of what isn't meant for you, and that you know no matter what it really isn't within your control anyway.
open hands. open hands. open hands.
It keeps me humble. It's my way of remembering that whatever I have is His first before it is mine.
These hands will stay open and ready and thankful for whatever is given to them and whatever is taken from them.
I was talking with a friend recently about dating. Sometime during the conversation about not getting our hopes up but not being shut off, it led us to the topic of how we approach life in general that way. I said that I hated when I found myself holding my breath during the good times because I'm waiting for the bottom to fall out. She agreed that a lot of people probably feel that way, her included. Then she said, "What if we just had an attitude of open hands in our lives?" and she held her hands out in front of her, palms up. (I probably frowned). She explained her point: If something comes to you, then your hands are open and ready for it, not closed-fisted and shut off. If it gets taken from you, then your hands will have held it but not too tightly to where you can't let go.
It was so simple, but it has been on this whispering loop in my mind since then.
open hands. open hands. open hands.
I sat in my apartment last night with my palms up, looking at my little hands.
open hands. open hands. open hands.
I found myself praying whatever You give me, I'll love it and steward it and be thankful for it and glorify You. And whatever is taken from me, I'll let You have it and glorify You anyway.
My career, my money, my relationships, my joy, my heartache, my(someday)marriage/husband, my(someday)children, my home.
open hands. open hands. open hands.
I don't think open hands are an excuse not to take responsibility or to be passive and not fight for the things you want, or that you won't protect what is entrusted to you. I think it means you're willing to take what is given to you and let go of what isn't meant for you, and that you know no matter what it really isn't within your control anyway.
open hands. open hands. open hands.
It keeps me humble. It's my way of remembering that whatever I have is His first before it is mine.
These hands will stay open and ready and thankful for whatever is given to them and whatever is taken from them.
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