And at first, I think we thought we were way more generous than we actually are.
I mean, we give consistently, and we give joyfully
but of our money mostly.
So while we've discovered our palms are largely open with giving our money, we've also come to realize we aren't very generous with our other resources -- the ones that we feel, perhaps, are much more precious.
Namely, for me especially, time.Maybe because time is what seems most fleeting, most like it's constantly slipping through my fingers
As I was working on a visual for church about generosity and giving, I kept going back to that image of the open palms.
A wise mentor once shared that trying to hold onto those fleeting precious treasures is a lot like trying to grab water and bring enough to our lips to quench deep thirst;
it's impossible to do.
But that's not the only thing that clenched fists make impossible.
When we hold too tightly to anything,we also aren't open to receiving renewing fulfillment either -- whatever is poured out can't be caught by tightly bound fists.
And plus. We haven't been given much to keep it all to ourselves.
We've been given much so we can spread the wealth around
with palms open wide and hearts full of thanksgiving.
What a beautiful reflection. I realized I was doing the opposite, more time less money. (grace) learning to open my hands completely to give both more freely.
ReplyDeleteGiving of myself 100% to Jesus. (this was the message on Sunday at our church)
ReplyDeleteI have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.
Martin Luther
I thought of this quote when I read about the open hands. We can't hold onto anything because nothing is ours! Thanks for the post!