January 25th, 2024
Thursday, January 25th
The Open Hand Concept
By: Chrissy Cooney
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-2
This is one of my “life verses.” One of my go-to reminders of how I want to live. When I read it, I immediately think of what I call the Open Hand Concept. Try this little exercise with me. Hold your dominant hand out in front of you, open it up so it is flat, facing palm up. Imagine that you have something in your hand: a few of your favorite candies, a pile of fifty-dollar bills – anything you want to imagine there. Look at your hand. Now close it into a tight fist, like you are grasping onto whatever it is that you have imagined sitting in the palm of your hand.
It’s pretty easy for something to leave your hand when you’re holding it lightly. But if you’re tightly clenching whatever is in your hand, there’s no room for anything to be added. Nothing more can be given to you, because you’ve got yourself all closed up and not in a position to receive!
I want to have an open hand. With my money, with my time, and with my love for others. I want to freely give so that I can freely receive. If you feel this way too, then join me in this prayer: Lord, please help me to see where I tend to close my fist in a tight grasp and increase my generosity in those areas.
The Open Hand Concept
By: Chrissy Cooney
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-2
This is one of my “life verses.” One of my go-to reminders of how I want to live. When I read it, I immediately think of what I call the Open Hand Concept. Try this little exercise with me. Hold your dominant hand out in front of you, open it up so it is flat, facing palm up. Imagine that you have something in your hand: a few of your favorite candies, a pile of fifty-dollar bills – anything you want to imagine there. Look at your hand. Now close it into a tight fist, like you are grasping onto whatever it is that you have imagined sitting in the palm of your hand.
It’s pretty easy for something to leave your hand when you’re holding it lightly. But if you’re tightly clenching whatever is in your hand, there’s no room for anything to be added. Nothing more can be given to you, because you’ve got yourself all closed up and not in a position to receive!
I want to have an open hand. With my money, with my time, and with my love for others. I want to freely give so that I can freely receive. If you feel this way too, then join me in this prayer: Lord, please help me to see where I tend to close my fist in a tight grasp and increase my generosity in those areas.
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