Vigilance and Me by Brenda J Wood

 

This month, our writing prompt verse is "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life". (Proverbs 4:23)

As I pondered the passage, I realized that I didn't really know the meaning of some of the words. It might as well have been written in Ang Pulong Sa Dios (APSD-CEB) for it made about as much sense to me.

"Bantayi pag-ayo ang imong hunahuna, kay kon unsay anaa sa imong hunahuna mao usab ang imong ikinabuhi." (Proverbs 4:23)

When I looked up some of the troublesome words, I found this. Vigilance? The state or action of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. Springs of life? A metaphor for the heart, which is a source of life that flows out to influence others.

Then I checked several Bible versions to see how they interpret the phrase.

"Be very careful about what you think. Your thoughts run your life." (International Children’s Bible)

"Be very careful to keep your mind safe. The thoughts that you think make you the person that you are." (Easy English Bible)

"Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life." (Easy-to-Read Version)

"Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." (Good News Translation)

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (King James Version)

"Above all else, guard your affections. For they influence everything else in your life." (Living Bible)

Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it because from a sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life. (The Voice)

And finally, I checked out The Message:

"Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth.
Avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead.
Ignore all side-show distractions.
Watch your step. And the road will stretch out smoothly before you.
Look neither right nor left. Leave evil in the dust."(Proverbs 4:23-27)

And then I examined my own heart with great fear and trepidation. And I failed. How did your heart do on The Message test? We glibly quote verses to encourage others or ourselves and too often have no idea what we are saying. And now back to the original assignment.

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

What is your heart saying to you? It is February and heart month and Valentine's Day and so many more heart thoughts. Do we really know what we are saying when we offer our heart to someone? Is our heart pure enough to give?

(Top) Image by NietjuhArt from Pixabay

Brenda J. Wood has authored more than fifty books. She is a seasoned motivational speaker, who declares the Word of God with wisdom, humour, and common sense.

Aspirations on How to Guard My Heart by Lorrie Orr

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

Proverbs 4:23

In this month’s prompt we are encouraged to think about the heart, the core of our being composed of our mind, emotion, and will. How do you keep or guard your heart? What is it saying to you these days?

Why should I guard my heart? My life today is the result of the choices in the past. My life tomorrow will be the result of the choices I make today. To guard my heart is to protect it and cherish it, for from my heart comes every thought, action, and feeling. Here are some aspirations for guarding my heart.

1. I guard my heart by recognizing that each day is a gift from the hand of my loving God. My days on earth are finite and their end unknown to all but God. When I come to consciousness in the morning, I say, in my head, “Good morning, Lord.” I recognize that he has allowed me to awaken, and I thank him.

2. I guard or protect my heart and mind from things that are not beneficial. I like to know what’s happening in the world. It helps me have empathy for others, and it provides knowledge for conversations. However, too much news, particularly now, can be overwhelming and lead to fear, anxiety, and even anger. Merely reading current headlines can make me tense up. As a result, I’ve signed out of several news feeds and am restricting my consumption. I feel better and sleep better.

3. I guard my heart by seeking God’s wisdom and surrendering to him. When he fills the core of my being, I can respond to life’s circumstances according to his design. I need his Spirit to help me live the life I want, a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.

4. I guard my heart by knowing myself. Balancing solitude and companionship, soaking up beauty, learning new things, writing and creative pursuits, taking care of my home and my body are important to me. I respect those needs, weaving my relationship with God in every aspect of my life. I am learning that self-care is not selfish, but necessary. The busy years of child-raising and a teaching career are behind me and now I have more time for the pursuits that gladden my heart. However, even as a mother with three young children, I took small moments of time to read and sew and do the things that filled me. There is joy in knowing how God created me to be and in protecting my needs while being open to his guidance.

Do I always guard my heart in these ways? No, but I do know that guarding my heart is the way to wisdom and how I long for that. I am so thankful that the apostle James wrote, “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously without finding fault, and it will be given you.” I know that I when I fail, God is there with open arms and open hands, continuously giving me his gifts.

Lorrie writes from Vancouver Island where there is much "scope for the

imagination" as Anne Shirley says. She loves spending time with

her husband, three children plus three, and her five grandchildren.

Just a Shepherd's Staff by Mary Folkerts

 

Why should they believe me, God? Who am I to take on this job? Who am I to teach this class or write this devotion? They all know who I am, my hang-ups and downfalls. I’m too much and not enough! God, you should probably ask someone more capable.

The words are as old as time, and God’s response to the excuses is as constant as the day Moses mumbled them when God chose him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. “But Moses protested again, ‘What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?’ Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied.” Exodus 4:1-2 (NLT).

What is in your hand? My hands? Just a shepherd’s staff, God. It’s nothing.

But here’s the thing: God likes to take the things that seem like nothing and use them for His purpose! A simple talent or ability given with a willing heart can be of great use in the hands of a mighty God. It’s not so much what I have to give, but my willingness to give what I have.

It’s not so much what I have to give,

but my willingness to give what I have.

What might be some examples of the shepherd’s staff you’re holding? Think about the things you do well or the things you enjoy doing. How could you use these for God? Maybe it’s the story God is unfolding in your life that He wants you to share. Could it be that point of pain you wrestle with? Perhaps somebody else is wrestling with the same thing, and your story could be an encouragement!

No matter how insignificant we feel (and let’s be clear that there is a big difference between humility and feelings of low self-worth), God has given each of us a staff in our hands. He wants us to use what He has given us for His glory.

There will undoubtedly be seasons when we feel more broken than useful, but even there, God asks us to come and bring what we have. Sometimes, it might just be our wounded self with empty, outstretched hands. Even that, He will use.

I am reminded of a song, “Good and Gracious King,” by CityAlight. You can find the lyrics by clicking to the link HERE.

What is that in your hands?

Mary Folkerts is mom to four kids and wife to a farmer, living on the southern prairies of Alberta, where the skies are large and the sunsets stunning. She is a Proverbs 31 ministries COMPEL Writers Training member involved in church ministries and music. Mary’s blog aims to encourage and inspire women and advocate for those with Down Syndrome, as their youngest child introduced them to this extraordinary new world. For more inspiration, check out Joy in the Small Things https://maryfolkerts.com/ or connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maryfolkerts/

Morning Pages or Mourning Pages? by Brenda J Wood

 

Morning pages or mourning pages? Only you can decide.

Morning pages are Julia Cameron's claim to fame. Her first book, The Artist's Way has been a bestseller for years and gradually she's added others, like The Writer's Diet to the mix.

Here is the basic premise to morning pages. Wake up. Make a quick coffee if you must. Write! Yes, hand write three 8.5 x 11 pages without thinking. Don't correct spelling or a thought. Just write. Don't think, edit, or correct. Just write.

For the first 45 minutes of awake time, the brain has no protective mode and what you write is what you are really thinking deep down in your being. Things you might not even dare to dream or think or realize or even act on, hit the page. During this time, your stream of consciousness explodes with brilliance across the page with thoughts you never knew that you had. Your ability to accomplish widens. For instance, I've written a book a year for the last 50 years or so, but last year I produced four new titles.

I began to use my time more wisely, think more clearly, edit more quickly. While struggling for a cover for my 366-page devotional Heart to Heart my morning pages produced the clear thought of a white background with single stem of a Bleeding Heart flower. I actually wrote this column one very early morning. It popped up on my morning pages.

I talk to God in my pages and am never disappointed. My struggles and solutions appear on the page. And all I do is wake up, pick up pen in my hand, and start to write till I fill those three pages.

I dare you to take this challenge. Let me know how it works for you. Like anything else, it will work for you if you work for it. The Artist's Way, including other books by Julia Cameron, are likely available in your local library, but I recommend that you buy it so that you can scribble in it and do the exercises in it.

Sincerely, Brenda J Wood, Morning Pages Convert!

Top Photo credit: Image by Engin_Akyurt from Pixabay

Brenda J Wood has authored more than fifty books. She is a seasoned motivational speaker, who declares the Word of God with wisdom, humour, and common sense.

A Butter Tart in My Hand by Michelle Strutzenberger

This month’s prompt drops me back to my years after high school when I was peering into the mist of adulthood. Eager to start on the next adventure of my life, I constantly sought the Lord’s will for all the big questions: Who should I marry? What should I do for my career? Where should I live?

But while studying the story of Moses and his staff, I was convicted to pull back from anguishing about those vast, often overwhelming questions. Instead, I found myself encouraged to focus on this question: What do you have in your hand right now?

I worked then as a packer in a butter tart factory in Chilliwack, B.C. The item literally most often in my hand at the time was a sweet, moist, delicious dessert – a butter tart. The Lord worked in my heart to understand that He could use even a simple butter tart as I surrendered myself, my dreams, my yearnings, and my desire to “get on with life,” to Him.

By the Holy Spirit’s leading, I found myself asking two main questions as I headed to my job in the factory each day: 

How can I be a witness to my fellow workers today as we bake and wrap and box those butter tarts together? 

How can I be a blessing to my fellow workers?

Years later, I have moved on from that job. The contents in my hand have changed. Today, I carry a few different items as I teach, write, and raise my family – a bottle of water, a well-scribbled planner, a phone with regular reminders to pray. Yet the questions I ask myself each morning as I drink my coffee, zip on my shoes and head into work are much the same as they were decades ago:

Lord, how can I be a living witness for you today?

In what specific ways can I be a blessing to whomever I cross paths with?

With Moses, God accomplished great miracles using his staff. While He never transformed my butter tart into a snake or my planner into a serpent, I am trusting that He can and will use every small act of obedience for His glory and the blessing of others.

Michelle and her family enjoy hiking mountains and trails together. She is currently writing a series  called, What Growing Up in a Mennonite Family of 10 Taught Me About Survival. To receive the bi-weekly tips, visit this link and subscribe.

He Fills My Hands by Valerie Ronald

 

Most Sunday mornings I sit in the reverent quiet of our church sanctuary, setting aside personal concerns so I can focus on Jesus. Before me on a table are two silver trays containing broken bread and small cups of grape juice. This weekly Breaking of Bread service, a cornerstone of our faith community, is held in obedience to Christ’s command to partake of the bread and the cup as symbols of the new covenant established by His sacrificial death.

This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.

This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.  

(1 Cor. 11:24-25 NIV)

When the trays are passed, I reach out my empty hand to receive the bread and juice. As I eat the bread and drink from the cup, I am aware of the profound mystery represented by this symbolic act. Until I reached out to take hold of all Jesus offered me through His sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection, my hands were empty. When I received his gift of salvation, He filled my hands and my heart. This communion service represents what Christ has done for me and gives me a focused opportunity to worship and thank Him for the gift of Himself. It reminds me that His life, death and resurrection have fundamentally altered me, making me a new creation capable of works of loving obedience that reveal His indwelling presence.

Before I was formed in my mother’s womb, He knew what He would put in my hand˗˗a gift and a desire to write. It wasn’t until I asked Him to come into my life that I realized what I was to do with that gift. I am to make it available to Him to use for His purposes.

In my hand are resources that inform my writing, giving it my unique flavor. No one else has this combination of life views and experiences.

I have a history. 

I have experiences.

I have interests.

I have choices.

I have a viewpoint.

I have lessons learned.

I have spiritual preparation by God.

I have a platform.

In the Exodus 3 account of God asking Moses, what is in your hand?, Moses doesn’t understand the potential of his lowly shepherd’s staff to demonstrate God’s power. God instructs him to throw his staff on the ground, where it miraculously turns into a snake. When he picks up the snake, it turns back into a staff. This miracle was to demonstrate God’s presence with Moses and his people. Until Moses released the staff from his grasp, he would not realize God’s capacity to help him in the task ahead.

My staff, what I have in my hand, is the words I write. If I keep my writing to myself, not releasing it to God to do with as He pleases, then it will only go as far my human limitations can take it. When I lay it down at God’s feet, it comes alive by His power and may be instrumental in changing lives. Releasing my writing to God does not mean I sit back and wait for Him to act. I am still responsible for doing the work, honing my writing to be the best I can make it, and sending it out to be read by others. From there He takes it to where He wants it and uses it for His purposes, something only He can divinely do.

As a Christian writer, God has given me a platform, not to be placed above others, but to serve. I need to focus on using my platform to not only serve others, but the One who gave me the platform in the first place. It is a form of worship He loves to receive.

This past Sunday when I reached out my empty hand to receive the communion symbols, as I have done many times before, I remembered how often God used the staff in Moses’ hand to bring the Israelites safely out of captivity. The symbols of Christ’s body and blood in my hand fill me with praise for His indwelling Spirit enabling me to use the gift of writing to tell others about Him.


For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Valerie Ronald writes from an old roll top desk in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with her tortoiseshell cat for a muse. A graduate of Langara College School of Journalism, she writes devotionals, fiction and inspirational prose. Her purpose in writing is to encourage others to grow in their spiritual walk.

Outstretched Hands by Tracy Krauss

I have enjoyed reading what others have written about this profoundly thought-provoking (and humbling) prompt. What a wonderful way to start the new year!

For those reading who did not see the prompt in its entirety, here it is:

"In Exodus 3, Moses, called by the Lord to an enormous task, expresses doubt about his abilities. The Lord replies to him, “What is that in your hand?” God then uses Moses’ staff to demonstrate His power to use what Moses already had.

As you begin the year, consider where you are now and how you will move forward in your faith and your writing. Share what is in your hand. What do you know about yourself? How has God revealed Himself to you as a writer? What tools do you possess to help you? How can you use what God has given you to enhance your writing?"

As I pondered how to respond, I recognized how gracious God has been in my life. I love to journal and reflect so have done a lot of soul searching over the years. I think I know myself - both my strengths and shortcomings - pretty well. He has revealed Himself to me in many astounding ways, sometimes through trials, physical pain and weakness, unexpected opportunities, and so much more. (Too much for me to go into detail here.)

God is in the business of using the "weak" because it is then that He is strong. We are forced to rely on Him, not on ourselves. Moses and Paul are just two fine examples. It reminds me of that famous quote, "God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called." (Not sure who coined it first.)

Right now I am in the midst of my busiest season. In my job as an online support teacher, the first three weeks of January can become overwhelming since I have all my end-of-term work to accomplish in a very short amount of time, including interviewing all my students, updating their "Proof of Work", and writing report cards. I had company for the entire holidays prior to January and then my husband and I, who are pastoring our church, felt God's prompt to hold a "Week of Prayer" for one entire week near the beginning of the month. (An awesome thing but it certainly cut down on my "work" time!) FellowScript magazine's February issue needed to be finalized in order to be ready for its publication date. And then...

My daughter, who was due to have her sixth child near the end of the month, suddenly needed our prayers and support when her blood pressure skyrocketed. She ended up having an emergency C-section. Welcome to another beautiful little granddaughter: 5 lbs 12 ounces and as healthy as can be! We kept a couple of our grandsons for part of the ordeal.

Today I am sitting at my computer wondering how in the world I can take time to write a blog post when I still have SO MUCH WORK TO DO! How can I do justice to the deep prompting in my spirit and respond in a way that honours all that God has done in my life?

As I pondered, a thought came to mind:

Stretch out your hands...

Right now, my hands are empty. But, it's the perfect reminder to surrender. I don't have to strive or worry because God's Hands are so much bigger than mine and He will equip me to do whatever tasks He's called me to do.

____________________

Tracy Krauss writes, works, pastors, and enjoys her family and LIFE in Tumbler Ridge, BC. She is currently serving as FellowScript magazine's editor-in-chief. Visit her website for more details. https://tracykrauss.com

What do I have in my Hand?: A Promise to Keep by Alan Anderson

 

But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me,

and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Luke 18:16 (RSV)

 

What is in my hand?...A reminder of my human nature

I mentioned in my last post of 2024 I faced health challenges throughout the year. A neurologist diagnosed me with a damaged nerve condition called Peripheral Neuropathy in February 2024. While this condition continues, I do not allow it to hold me back.

I am prone as a man to frailties of human nature, like physical vulnerabilities. I am getting older and not as spry as when I enjoyed my twenties or thirties. This, however, is no reason to quit or crawl into a corner and let the world go by… You see, I have a promise to keep.

What is in my hand?...The tears of grandparents who need a voice

Through the years since I began to blog here, life has changed. Each year in my posts around December or January, I dedicate a message in memory of my five grandbabies in heaven. These are babies who never made it to birth. While some people might think it odd, I made a promise to these babies. I promised them I would not forget them.

Since I made this promise, I have encountered people who grieve over the deaths of their grandchildren. I have collected stories and experiences from grandparents open enough to share with me. A common expression they have is, “we don’t have a voice.”

I hold their tears in my hand because I resonate with them. Grandparents often spend much of their grief energy caring for their families who also grieve. Their grief matters as well. After hearing and writing their stories, I decided to capture their words and tears in a book. The book has taken me three years to write so far. Life can get in the way, but it does not stop me. I pray the book will be a voice for grandparents who grieve.

I have a couple of titles for the book, but no decision what the title will be. Here are the proposed titles: “Plant Them A Garden: A Reflective Work of Grief, Faith and Poetry,” and “Hidden Poetic Voices: A Reflective Work of Grief, Faith, and Poetry.”

The words I have in my hand are from the beats of my heart and words of faith.

I end this post with a poem to be included in my book.

Give Rest to the Children

By Alan Anderson, July 15, 2023

(I adapted this poem from an Orthodox Christian funeral liturgy for a child.)

The sword of death has come,

my world has changed.

Sorrow steals every moment.

The sun has become cold,

evening is frozen darkness.

The death of my grandchildren…pierces my existence.

How shall I live, O God,

must I continue to breathe?

My tears drown me,

my sobs suffocate me,

life is still.

Grant Your light to these children, O Blessed One,

for they have not sinned or spoiled creation.

Welcome them, give them rest,

where there is no sickness or sorrow or sighing.

They are but children,

have mercy on them, O God.

I will give my grief to God,

The Lord who loves all people,

He will not allow me to be ruined.

With Him, I know my grandchildren live.

God opened the gates of heaven to them.

I can bear my stumbled steps,

begin to walk one foot before another.

I can face the day,

sleep in the night,

with peace.

I remember the children with great love and playful memories,

for God has not forsaken me,

neither are the children lost.

For their memory is eternal,

in the mind of God.

Give rest to the children, O Lord.

 

Alan lives in a small village called Deroche, British Columbia, with his wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He enjoys walking on the dike near his home with trees all around, where he finds inspiration for his writing. He occasionally writes articles for FellowScript Magazine and is a regular contributor to the InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship blog. Alan is the new BC/Northern Regional Rep. for InScribe. His website is https://scarredjoy.ca.

A Bird in the Hand by Gloria Guest

It was a magical moment; after some patience and a lot of standing still as a statue with outstretched arm, a small bird had landed on my hand to enthusiastically peck at the birdseed I held. So light that I couldn’t really feel it except for its beak pecking away at the seeds and its tiny claws poking into my skin. I held my breath lest it would fly away. Eventually it did of course as all fragile moments do.

This month's theme What is in your hand? brought back my little bird experience. The saying goes, ‘A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush’ and I’d have to agree. I could never have experienced the uniqueness of that bird if it hadn’t been so willing to alight on my hand. It made me realize how often I’ve searched for ‘birds in the bush’ in my writing endeavours rather than taking the disciplined route of being still, quieting my soul to let an idea alight and then be still further, to take in all the moment has to offer, long enough to not let it take flight before the idea has been nourished in my mind.

Searching around for other ‘birds’ by comparing myself to others or not being willing to focus on what is in front of me has taken away from my writing.

That little bird reminds me that life is fragile and fleeting and when a creative, beautiful, unique idea alights on my hand, I need to protect and nourish its presence, letting it become all it needs to be before I finally release it into the world.

In contemplating this I realize that a few ‘birds’ are in my hand today that I can make space for:

I belong to a small writers group that offers camaraderie, encouragement and accountability. To this I need to show up for and grow.

I have re-committed to writing for the monthly Inscribe blog; this serves as seed by the way of discipline and opportunity to share my voice however small that may be.

I have a devotional project in the works which will include both past and future writing; I need to be patient and present and enjoy the process, rather than chase it off with discouragement as I’ve done with some other longer term writing projects.

 
Thank you to Inscribe Christian Writers Group for the renewed opportunity to blog on this page and for all you do to inspire and encourage many writers, including myself.

Gloria Guest blogs and writes from a small prairie town in southern Saskatchewan. Her writing aims to bring hope and healing. Her published work includes newspaper articles, fiction and poetry. Currently she is writing creative non-fiction/memoir and devotional.

The Posture of My Hands by Lorilee Guenter

I hold my hand open, fingers straight, palm flat facing the sky. It remains empty as items placed upon it roll off. Burdens that are not mine to carry are released since my hands, when open, won't hold them. Likewise, distractions and temptations that threaten to overwhelm and drag me down are released. They are not allowed to drown me. The weight disappears with hands wide open.

With empty hands, I begin to curl my fingers until my hands resemble a bowl to be filled. God is waiting to fill these open hands. He lavishes compassion, grace and everlasting love on those who trust Him. To lavish is to fill to overflowing. It is extravagant giving. Ephesians 1:7-8 tell of God's forgiveness and riches of the grace He lavishes on us. From there we receive the gift of His wisdom and understanding that makes His will and good pleasure known to us. 1 John 3:1 lets us know the Father has lavished His great love on us. We are filled to overflowing with God's gifts when we hold our hands cupped and waiting.

My open hands are filled beyond what they can hold. God's rich grace and great love spill over the sides. Through my pen, they fall as words on a page enabling others to experience the same gifts. When readers open their hands in trust, trickles turn to floods. God's glory is seen and heard not because of us, but because He spills out more than anyone can hold. He spills out in words and actions that touch us and those around us. We are not meant to hold it all. Our cupped hands are no match for God's extravagance.

I'm tempted to close my hands around this flood. I want to hold on, but that is not a posture of trust. The more I trust, the more I am able to hold these gifts loosely knowing God will continue to pour them out, filling me and filling His people.

God's extravagant love includes discipline. I don't like discipline, nor do I like the storms of life that come from living in a broken world. Still I can trust. God is in the storm. He puts limits on the trouble [Job 17]. He oversees the discipline. They are different but many times look the same. My hands closes as I hold on to the promise of God's presence. I am still surrounded by His extravagant, unending love. I am still being taught through His wisdom that brings understanding. 

I have two hands with three postures: hand open wide, fingers curled to form a bowl, and hand clasped tight, holding firm. Each posture has its place and purpose in my life. I strive to use each posture well as I release what is not mine. Someone else will tell the stories that are not mine to tell. My overflowing hands spill forth stories of God's everlasting, unchanging, incomprehensible character. My clasped hands hold firm to the promises I have been given. I trust God will continue to teach me to use these postures well so that no matter the circumstances, my hands will be full of God's presence and the stories of His work in and around me.

Lorilee Guenter is a writer and artist from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She enjoys exploring God's creation. Her hobbies and interests are varied which leads to an eclectic set of books she is reading.

My Hands Feel Empty by Carol Harrison

 

 

Lately, on many days, my hands feel empty. Even a pen slips from my grasp and my storytelling grinds to a halt. Moses had his staff, his everyday piece of equipment for tending his flocks of sheep. God used that in mighty ways. What do I have in my hands that God can use on days I feel like I am running on empty?

Sunday morning in the sermon, the pastor was preaching from Nehemiah 10. He reminded us that with all the sacrifices that needed to be offered, someone had to cut the wood and bring it as an offering or a tithe to God. Something often overlooked as we think of all that people gave to God from the animals to the temple offerings. Yet the wood was indispensable. Everything is important to God no matter how little it seems or how much in the background.

This got me thinking again of this month’s prompt of what is in my hands? Is there something still I can offer when my hands feel so empty? As I worked on this blog post I kept thinking of encouragement. It might seem like something small but to those it is offered to, it can be the difference in their day. Can I fill my hands, mind, and mouth with encouraging words and actions?

Yarn has a double meaning of storytelling with exciting twists and turns or continuous twisted fibres woven together for strength. In Ecclesiastes 4: 12 it says, “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Together we are stronger. In Hebrews 10: 24 & 25 we read, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Stir up one another to love and good works. Encourage each other. Encouragement can be in my hands and help form a three-fold cord with others, God, and me. How can I offer this encouragement? It might be picking up my phone and making a call or sending a text or email. It might be picking up a pen and writing a note to send or give. It means offering a smile, giving a hug, reading another’s work and offering comments or leaving a review of a published book. There are so many little things that can be an encouragement to others.

As I thought of how I had been encouraged, Inscribe came to mind. I have learned so much from other writers, been given encouraging words, and helpful suggestions. Together we are stronger than alone. So what is in my hand is like yarn or a three-fold cord that is stronger than one strand by itself.

How have you been encouraged? How can you encourage someone else today?

 

Carol Harrison lives and writes in Saskatoon. She hangs on to encouraging notes to read on those days her hands feel empty. 

What is in Your Hand by Sharon Heagy

 

What is in your hand?

Well, Lord, right now I have a whisk in one hand and a bowl in the other as I ‘m making breakfast for my husband.

What is in your hand?

It’s called a Swiss Army knife. Spoon, knife, fork, saw, scissors, all in one handy gadget. I’m surprised you don’t recognize it.

What is in your hand?

A pile of bills that need to be paid, a to do list and a cell phone I need to answer as this ringing is driving me crazy! Oh, and there are half a dozen text messages and several emails to answer as well.

What is in your hand?

Do you mean stuff we own? We have a nice warm house for which I am truly thankful in this frigid weather. Oh, and thanks for the SUV. It’s really snazzy and comfortable and gets us from point A to point B lickety-split. Comfy chairs to sit in, except for that one. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about getting us a new one. Kitchen table with more chairs. Lots of appliances like a stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer. All those things that make life easier and give us more time. Shelves full of books. A bed to snooze on. I could go on but sorry, gotta run.

What is in your hand?

Maybe you’re talking about the wonderful folks in our life. My terrific husband and our three sons, two daughter-in-loves and 5 grandkids. Immediate and extended family who celebrate our triumphs and share in our sorrows. Fantastic neighbours and warm, encouraging friends. A fabulous faith filled church family we would be lost without. They help us through the dark times and sing praise with us at all times. Furry friends who listen well and share our space and cuddle up when we seem to need it the most. Wow, we truly are blessed, eh?

What is in your hand? Nothing you have mentioned is as important as the truth. Open your palms and look earnestly. Scrutinize each one from the tips of your fingers to the crease of your wrist. Look for the treasure there. Find what matters, seek the truth. What is in your hand?

Nothing. Nothing, Lord? There is nothing in my hands. I don’t understand.

Look deeper my child. Into the lines of every joint of your fingers, each line on your palm and every wrinkle. Follow the blood vessels underneath to the source of circulation. It is there I have written my word. Upon your heart. From your heart my words follow the life-giving flow down to your hands and to the tips of your fingers. Look again into the palms of your hands. Watch words appear and disappear into the crevices and cracks. As you prayerfully write, your words become beacons to a dark world and arrows to penetrate even the hardest heart and soul. You are “engraved on the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:16 NIV) The hands that created you. From my hands flows the power which gives you breath and life. From my hands come the words you write when your heart is surrendered to me. All the answers you have given, the things that you have mentioned, will turn to rust, be eaten by moths or return to dust. (Matthew 6:19; Genesis 3:19 NIV) Though it may all be taken from you, you will always have me. It is I alone who fill your outstretched palms and will “never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV) Gaze upon your hands again. What is in your hands, child?

You, Lord. And You are all I need.

Sharon Heagy writes from Rockglen, Saskatchewan, where she lives with her husband, three cats and one very large dog, all of whom bring sunshine into her life. She writes to inspire and give hope, with a chuckle or two along the way.