open Hands

"We can add God's word to our day but it does not expand unless we put it to use."

It's no secret that me and sleep are not close friends. A few weeks ago a sweet friend let me borrow a weighted blanket to see if it's magical. 

I laid down the first night, with all 15 pounds of that blanket on top of me, and basically was miserable. By morning, every single muscle in my body ached. I felt like I had spent the night working out. 

Night two was exactly the same. Night three is when I realized that I spend all night clenched - my hands in fists, my body drawn in, even my jaw is tight all night. With the added weight of the blanket, every time I moved it was uncomfortable. 

Night four I decided I would intentionally try to relax every muscle in my body and just let the blanket keep me secure. 

Turns out if you just relax and lay there - the weight of the blanket can be comforting. 

So I've been thinking about this idea of being closed up, tight, clenched. 

I realized in church in a few weeks ago that when we sing, I close my hands in fists. 

I clearly felt tugged to open my hands. 

Now, I was raised in one of those churches where only the fanatical folks raised their hands and waved them during songs. 

Turns out, those folks know a few things. 

I started out by just opening my hands in my lap. Then opening my hands and raising them. Now, I lift my hands when I sing. 

Because you see, I'm learning that my POSTURE has a lot to do with how I'm approaching God. 

A friend of mine shared recently that she put me and my people on the palm of her hands and she lifted them up to God. 

It made me think - I'm holding me and my people closed up in my fists and asking God to just bless us right where we are. 

I want to physically, spiritually GIVE my all to my Jesus. 

With open hands - reached outward. 

I'm finding, much like with my weighted blanket, when I open up and release it all.....it's so freeing. 

There's grace for all my mistakes. 

There's room for me to grow. 

Mama Warriors, maybe you, like me, are holding tight to all your worries. I encourage you to put just one of those on the palms of your hands and lift them up. Maybe if you aren't ready to be fanatical just yet, shut yourself in your bathroom and give it a go. 

He can't take from you what you are tightly holding on to. 

You have to make space to let Him come in and be where He wants to be. 

Open your hands.......................I think you will find that it will open your heart.