“Want a cracker?" Kathy asked baby Carrie as she held it out to her plumpish daughter, who sat in her highchair.

Carrie grinned broadly as she stretched out her hand toward the treat. However, there was a problem. Although the thrust-out little hand indicated her anticipation, it was clenched into a fist. With a patient smile—and as Carrie squirmed in frustration—Kathy patiently and gently pried open the little fingers, then spread them out and inserted the cracker. Carrie crammed the cracker into her open mouth with wiggling pleasure and gave her mother a crumbly grin. Then she stretched out her hand again with another closed fist.

Kathy realized it would take time for Carrie to learn the process, so once again, she opened the baby’s hand to insert the cracker and said, “Darling, to get something good, you need an empty hand."

In a spiritual sense, this is something I need to learn, and it is what frequently happens when God is ready to graciously provide for me according to His will. However, I can’t accept what He offers when that happens because my hands are closed. Closed because I don’t want to accept His ideas because I think mine are superior. Indeed, to my way of thinking, I have my own perfect plans, and they’re better than His.   

Or so it seems. Then, when my own ideas don’t work out, I realize His were far superior. I finally saw that my clenched fist was the problem.

God's blessings and perfect provision are waiting for those with open hands. Open yours.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and winghundred.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)

Anne Adams

Anne Adams is a retired church staffer living in Athens, Texas, where she writes a historical column for the local newspaper. Her book Brittany, Child of Joy, tells about her mentally disabled daughter and was published in 1986 by Broadman. She has taught junior college history and has published in Christian and secular publications for forty years.