Open Hands, Open Heart

They say that if you want to see where your treasure is, look at your bank statement. Besides the basic necessities of housing, food, and clothing for ourselves and our families, what do we spend our money on? What do our expenditures say about our priorities and values? 

Probably all of us would say our family is most important to us. This is true even if we no longer live under the same roof. Are we generous in the ways we express our love to them? Maybe we pick up little gifts or cards during random times of the year and say, ‘I thought of you when I saw this.’ Maybe we have a creative hobby and we make something for someone for no reason other than to tell them, ‘I love you.’ Maybe we make it a priority to spend time with them because doing so says, ‘You’re important to me.’ 

What about people outside of our loved ones? Are we generous in sharing what we have with strangers? Do we give freely to organizations that house, feed, clothe, and otherwise care for those who are less fortunate? Do we teach our children and grandchildren to serve others by our example?

Is our bank statement filled with expenses for ourselves, or does it show a string of selfless giving to others? 

And what does all that have to do with faith?

Open hands make open hearts. If we want to ‘love our neighbors as ourselves’ we will stretch out our hands and share what we have with both loved ones and strangers. On the other hand, if we cling to what is ours and keep everything only for ourselves, the focus stays there: on ourselves. 

“Sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” –Matthew 19:21

Christ isn’t telling us to sell everything or abandon our responsibilities. He’s telling us to loosen our grip from what we have and share it with those in need. He’s telling us to shift our focus from ourselves to others, to see that the happiness we get from serving ourselves is fleeting. He’s teaching us that when we give to others, we allow God to expand our hearts and make us more like Christ. With our expanded hearts we follow His way of loving and serving others more closely. This brings us His joy and His peace, which we cannot attain from the things of this world. 

“Lord, let my open hands open my heart so that I may know the joy of following You more closely.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2023 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

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P.S.

We continue to pray for an end to the war. If you’d like to help the people of Ukraine through the Cleveland Maidan Association, you may use either PayPal or a credit/debit card here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/...

P.P.S. If you’re able to help the people of Maui recover from the wildfires, here are a few organizations that are accepting donations:

The Hawaii Community Foundation 

The American Red Cross

The Maui Food Bank

You Don't Have to Have all the Answers

“I delight to do Your will.”  –Psalm 40:9

There’s something about hanging up the January calendar that offers us a bit of tranquility, along with hope and anticipation. The rows of empty squares are a welcome sight after the holidays: the hustle and bustle are over and we settle back into familiar, comfortable routines. Also, you may be looking forward to discovering what the new year holds; you may look inside yourself and contemplate what you’d like the months ahead to look like. 

Even if you’re content with life on the outside – your job, home, and leisure activities – there’s something deep inside of you that wants to BE more (see the reflection I wrote last week). You know from past experience that you feel most fulfilled when you give of yourself, and you’re looking for some direction as to what that could look like in the coming year. No matter your work or state in life, you have a deep desire to feel that you’re contributing to the good of your world. You’re longing for peace.

 “Be still, and know that I am God.” –Psalm 46:10

Christ is goodness, love, generosity, patience, and kindness. Take some time each day to be quiet, and trust our Lord to guide you. Take each day, each moment, as it comes, and choose whatever it is that is most loving, generous, patient, and kind in that moment. Each step will bring you closer to the Peace you’re longing for. 

Keep in mind that you don’t have to see the end of the tunnel before you take the first step. You don’t have to have all the answers before starting. You don’t have to have everything in your own life figured out and straightened out before you can give to others. Just take the next loving step. 

Remember that Mary and Joseph didn’t have all the answers when baby Jesus was born. Even they had to take life one moment at a time. Jesus grew up like any other boy, learning from His parents how to get along with others, learning a trade, and learning about God. They trusted that God would guide them, one day and one step at a time, toward Him and His plan for their lives – to teach us how to find fulfillment and peace by serving others… 

…one moment at a time.

“Lord, help me choose what is most loving, one step at a time.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2023 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

If you or someone you know would like to receive these writings directly to your inbox, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

 

p.s.

We continue to pray for an end to the war. If you’d like to help the people of Ukraine through the Cleveland Maidan Association, you may use either PayPal or a credit/debit card here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/...