Empty Hands

Here I am, in Minnesota. It started snowing as we unloaded my car 🙂 An appropriate welcome.

Here I am, with empty hands.

Empty hands because I am beginning again, and beginning again means opening hands that held so many good things and memories to make room for new things. I have no idea what those new things are….no idea at all.

And then I got to thinking, what if my hands are empty, not to receive again, but so that I can have two empty hands for serving. For helping. For literally digging in to community.

What if my hands were filled with goodness, love, friendship, growth, and all of those good things, filled to overflowing for awhile to give me the strength and courage to live with empty hands for awhile. It isn’t easy to keep hands open and empty. We are always wanting, always reaching and grasping and taking. It is human nature. I am no exception. But God showed me the image in my head: a beautiful and lovely image of hands reached to the sky, touched with grace, mercy, and strength… held up day after day in front of God, on bended knee, offered to Him for His use and good purposes.

Maybe “empty” hands aren’t empty at all.
Not empty at all.

0 comments

  1. I love this, thanks so much for sharing! I've recently gone through my own restart and it's a constant struggle to remember that empty is not really empty. So I'm really really glad you shared this 🙂

  2. It sure is a struggle to restart! To constantly worry and then try not to worry about how empty the bank account is, how empty your friend box is,etc. And God always knows what's best! He keeps just enough in the bank, gives time for knowing family before new friends. It's not how I'm used to living, but it's been a great reminder that God is in control and provides for our EVERY need! A restart to life may take a couple months or a couple years, I'm glad to know I'm not alone, so comforting 🙂

  3. Hi Emily! Yes, not empty 🙂 So glad it encouraged you, and I'm glad you're here!

    Freezn, thank you so much for your thoughtful, wonderful comment. It means so much to me that you share and join in on the conversation…it encourages my heart, too! Thank you both!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *