Open Hands

Have you ever noticed how we are always holding onto something? I don’t mean figuratively, I mean physically. Whether it’s our phone, keys, a cup of coffee, you name it. I noticed this more than ever the other day when my 2-year-old daughter and I were watching a movie. Well to be honest, she was watching it and I was busy scrolling on my phone. Out of nowhere she reached her little hand over to me so I could hold it in mine. I didn’t notice it right away since my face was glued to my own screen and then she moved it closer as if to say, “hey mom, you see me reaching out, can you pay attention to me for a minute?” I immediately let go of my phone, put it aside and held her little hand. At that moment I felt as if the Lord were saying to me, “I need you to leave your hands open more often so you don’t miss these moments.” He was talking about more than my daughter's hand. He was talking about making space for the things God wants to hand me. Moments and things I can easily overlook because my focus is elsewhere. 

I don’t want to be so caught up that I miss:

The sound of my daughter's laughter echoing in our home

My husband telling me about his day after a long day at work

The melody the birds sing in the morning

The cute elderly couple sitting at the diner still very much in love

The way the sun warms up my face on summer days

The chance to pray for someone who really needs it

The times my daughter asks me to dance around the kitchen with her

The moments I catch my husband gazing at me

The way a good worship song makes my soul come alive

Open your hands. God has so much beyond our screens He wants us to see.