They say our hearts are about the size of our fists. Looking down at my fist, I realize how small a heart can be and yet it is vital to life, to being alive.
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Proverbs 4:23, NLT)
In another version, the heart is called the “wellspring of life” meaning it is the starting point of everything else in life. Our hearts are the source of all our creativity, courage and conviction.
All that I am is residing right there in something as small as my fist.
In order to make a fist, we must clench our hand tightly closed. Positioned as such, nothing can either enter or leave my fist. I am stuck with what is enclosed in the center of my fist.
How often do we live with our fists clenched? We hold onto insecurity, anger, jealousy and resentment.
Yet Christ calls us to live another way – open hands. Open hearts.
It is then our hearts can be filled with gratitude …
Gratitude >> “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” (as per google)
Interestingly, it has nothing to do with what one possesses or not. It is an appreciation, an expression for kindness received. Our God is kind to us each day – with each breath we take in, the sun rising, the wind we can feel on our face, the comforting sound of rain.
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:7, NLT)
Our hearts may be small but may they be large on gratitude.
What are you grateful for today?
Today I am joining …. Tell His Story and Three Word Wednesday and Wedded Wednesday and Women With Intention and Wednesday Prayer Girls .
It’s amazing how such a small heart can do so many things. Piglet is so right. Our hearts can hold a large amount of gratitude. Today I am thankful for my sisters in Christ who encourage me daily.
Jenny, it is amazing how gratitude will enlarge our hearts too. Thank you for encouraging me today!
Lately I have been striving to open my hands and heart so that I will let “life” overwhelm me anymore. Thanks for sharing.
Will “not” let life overwhelm me. Oops sorry for the typo. š
It is amazing how living open handed dispels those feelings which would overwhelm us otherwise. May you continue to live – palms up – and receive from Him that which you need each day.
First of all, I love Pooh! I love the quote you’ve used. I also love your words about gratitude. Gratitude was my One Word in 2014 and focusing on it all year long make a huge impact! Gratitude is SO important. We have so much to be thankful for! Stopping by from #threewordwednesday
It is amazing how a simple Pooh quote can speak volumes. I think gratitude would impact our lives hugely each day if we would but practice it. Funny how we much be intentional about it otherwise we default to taking things for granted. So glad you shared!
Awww, I love Piglet’s words! So true, Joanne! God has been showing me over and over that I cannot focus on the lack in my life and experience contentment. I must let it go and focus on the good and OH MY there is so much good that God is continually doing and giving! Thanks for this inspiring word, my friend!
Beth, you made such a good point here. It is amazing how easy it is to focus on the lack. Yet we must be intentional if we are going to focus on the good & be grateful. Whichever we pick, you can be sure it will grow large in our minds. May we be grateful women today!
Piglet is so wise! Still counting gifts! Visiting from Kristin’s!
Amazing how many gifts we can find each day – if we but look!
Gratitude is my outward expression of a grateful attitude about all that God is to me and has done for me and through ne. Completeness. Makes up for the down moments in life, yes? š
Sure does, Heather. May we continue to cultivate a heart of gratitude each & every day. Blessings!
I love thinking about my heart being the size of my fist, but how they both need to be open. Such encouragement for me here today. And that quote from Pooh is perfect, really. So grateful for your perspective. I’m glad you faithfully link up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
Kristin, it is amazing how something so small can hold so much. I so desire for my heart to hold more of Him & less of me.
Joanne, I’m featuring you tomorrow at Women With Intention Wednesdays! š
Jenny, what a surprise to wake up to this morning! Thank you for blessing me & sharing your space with us all each week. It is always a joy to join you! Thank you!
What a great post! Thanks so much for sharing! Excellent analogy about what we hold in our fist/in our heart. I have been posting “Attitude of Gratitude” posts on Facebook for about 2 1/2 years. It really does help focus on something positive every day.
We so need reminders to stay positively focused each day. So grateful for your encouragement. May you have a blessed Sunday!