with open hands

with open hands...

stewardship, careful responsibility. 

my dad is my imperfect hero. i know he has flaws; sometimes he has a short temper when i do things wrong, but his life is characterized by grace, devotion, and generosity. 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

i was once told that the posture of a servant is a posture of open hands. when i clench life tightly, i grapple and grasp on to things that the Lord knows i do not need. when i live my life in a state of willingness to give, i allow Abba to use what He has given me. 

my dad has set this example my entire life. not only with finances, but with his life. 

yesterday was an overwhelming day. as i began to process the monetary need of the trip to Africa,  my stress level quickly rose. in the middle of the hustle and bustle of my favorite coffee stop, i called the man that makes all my earthly problems seem manageable--my dad. 

financially, i am still behind on fundraising for my trip. it was one of the most humbling moments because i was unable to take care and provide for myself. i am solely relying on those around me to allow me to engage in something that i believe the Lord has called me to. i felt the burden. 

then my dad spoke up. “sweetheart, don’t worry about it. we have you covered.” i quickly voiced my disapproval. he then hushed me with, “it’s not my money, babe. its God’s. i have no problem giving it to you.” he didn’t know, but i began to cry. 

generosity. this man has lived his life with hands open, always willing to give, and never claiming anything as his own. and i get to be the constant receiver in that...

thankfully this example was affirmed by my relationships with Nate and then with Greg. they never failed to offer generosity and never sought after entitlement. 

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him. How can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

1 John 3:17

as i think about the verse, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” and then look at my financial statements, it is evident that i value coffee. 

but the coffee indicates the time that i spend in coffee shops, WITH other people. 

generosity is not limited to finances. although, God does want us to be open with them. generosity can apply to giving of time, of resources,  of talents, of words of encouragement. generosity seeks to share freely without asking anything in return. 

i give what i can because nothing is mine to claim. my money is His, my talents are His, my story is His. 

so i share. 

i share because He has shared with me. when i give out of an overflow of gratitude for all of His provisions, i am giving joyfully. 

it is not mine to claim, but it is His to give.