Empty Hands

“You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.”

This little black and white plaque is on my side table in my office. It is a truth I want to share with my clients as well as to remind myself to anticipate with joy the next chapter in life.

I have always loved reading. I am part of a book club now and thoroughly enjoy reading books from authors I am not familiar with and having the opportunity to discuss them with others. I don’t think it would be a productive discussion if I only read one chapter and kept re-reading it over and over, thinking I may have missed some detail or fact. Nor would I see the whole picture of the book and have closure. As each book ends, I set it down and pick up the next book. It is a continual process of letting go of one and picking up another and no two are exactly alike. That’s what makes it so interesting. I don’t question if there will be another book coming, it is a given.

The process of letting go, being empty handed for a moment, and receiving something new is a natural rhythm of life. The danger for me has been over attachment to what is in my hand, thinking I am in control, and when it is time to let go, I am struck with fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of empty hands. I now have experienced that empty hands bring freedom, freedom brings joy and deepens trust in God. It doesn’t take long for Him to fill my hands with something unique,

beautiful and hand-crafted just for me. Then I begin a new chapter!

For I am about to do a new thing, see, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

Isaiah 43:19