{"id":18714,"date":"2026-04-30T10:57:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T15:57:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freshhope.us\/?p=18714"},"modified":"2026-04-30T10:57:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T15:57:42","slug":"open-handed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freshhope.us\/es\/open-handed\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Handed"},"content":{"rendered":"

My mom, who turns 88 this summer, used to talk about holding onto things \u201cloosely.\u201d It took me a long time to figure out what she meant. And then, two weeks ago, I got it.<\/span><\/p>\n

As I\u2019ve mentioned before, I\u2019ve been dealing with chronic pain for several months now, and it\u2019s been quite a journey with the Lord. He has been reorienting my thinking \u2013 teaching me to pause and rest instead of pushing through the pain. Even though I\u2019m wired to write To-Do Lists, checking things off is no longer as important as listening to my body, caring for it, and resting in Him in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

In mid-February, I met with a physician\u2019s assistant, to discuss a procedure I\u2019d previously tried that didn\u2019t work. After talking it through, she suggested we try again, but in a slightly different location, and she was very confident that it would address the source of pain. So I scheduled the appointment for a Monday, several weeks out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two weeks ago, a light-bulb clicked on over my head, just like in the cartoons. I realized that I had placed all of my hope for pain relief into that upcoming procedure. It was going to mean the end of my pain! I was counting down the days \u2013 even the hours. But it was as if the Holy Spirit spoke quietly to my heart, \u201cYou\u2019re putting your hope in this procedure. But your hope is meant to be in the Lord.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ouch. (Every pun intended.)<\/span><\/p>\n