Are your hands full?

“You’ve sure got your hands full!”

 

Walking into any public establishment with two young kids it became an expectation that someone was going to say this. Once there were three kids, eyebrows would raise with the comment. Four, it was said with more of a head shake. Five or more kids – people would say it, then just start counting silently in their head in shock that someone would even attempt to go to any public place with that many kids.

 

They are not wrong. My hands are full. Often my response to them is: “Full of blessings.” I’m so very grateful for my children and that my hands are full of them. I should note there are many people who say this with joy and are simply encouraged by the site of our family.

 

There have been days where I have felt their sentiment. “I’ve just got my hands too full.” It can get almost comical at times in a house with 7 kids. Someone always needs help with something or wants something or just needs a little extra love. Even with no kids, life can get overwhelming. Life can pile up very quickly. Whether it’s work, relationships, home maintenance, car trouble, school work – the list is endless.

 

So what do we do with it all?

 

Ken asked a question once and it has been one I go back to time and time again:

 

What does the Lord ask of us? The answer: Simply everything.

 

When we choose to follow Him we are choosing to put our whole life in His hands. That includes everything we are trying to hold.

 

“ Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.“

 

There have been many times where I felt I couldn’t possibly handle one more thing. But then, the Lord reminds me to give it all to Him. It’s amazing how when I do, I actually find out there is room in my life for more – as long as it’s in the Lord’s hands.

 

Giving it all to Him doesn’t mean we live an empty life. The Lord actually wants us to live a life that is full. Full of Him. Full of His grace, His mercy, His blessings – so that whatever it is we have in our hands is actually in His hands because we humbly give it all to Him.

 

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.“ John 10:10

 

–Mary Elise