Empty Hands, Renewed Heart

Good Morning Everyone,

I love drinking tea out of beautiful cups. Somehow it
makes the tea taste better, and makes it seem
like a happy little ceremony.

A interesting note about a cup of tea. Until it
is emptied you cannot refill it.

The same is true of our heart. Unless we give away
we have no room to refill it. If we cling to our love,
our possessions, our time, and our emotions.. they will
remain stuck within our heart, withering on the vine,
unused, unappreciated, uninspiring.

But if we open up our heart and reach out to others,
we find ourselves feeling better about ourselves. We will
see relationships blossoming around us, and we will find
we have room in our heart for the love of others.

Our heart is growing, and so are we spiritually and emotionally!
Maturing because we took time to give without thought
of receiving in return.

I think the same thing applies to suffering, burdens and
hardships. Until we have suffered or carried burdens, or lost
those we love, how can we understand the heartache of others?
Each thing we go through is a lesson, a growing time, even in
the hardest of things, we learn something valuable and true
and very fine for our hearts and spirit.

Only through hardship, suffering and burdens, and then
coming out on the other side of them do we understand
the struggles of others, feel empathy and reach out
to minister because we understand what people are
going through. What a gift!

Life is a investment. We only have this one. Empty your hands
out, give unto others, of your time, energy, emotions and love.
Make the investment of your life a testimony to Christ abiding in you.

love always
millie

ps.. please read the poem below.


Empty Hands
Author: Martha Snell Nicholson

One by one He took them from me,
All the things I valued most:
Until I was empty-handed,
Every glittering toy was lost.

And I walked earth's highways, grieving,
In my rage and poverty,
Till I heard His voice inviting,
"Lift your empty hands to me."

So I held my hands toward heaven
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches
Until they could hold no more.

And at last I comprehended,
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God could not pour His riches
Into hands already full.

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." - Luke 6:38