Today’s post is by a familiar face at our Center, Sales Manager Rainey Taylor. She offers a wonderful analogy that can be applied as we continue to face this time of uncertainty. Let’s set aside a quiet moment to read her thoughts.
Palms Up Way of Life
by Rainey Taylor
“The final forming of a person’s character lies in their hands.” – Anne Frank
“So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name” Psalm 63:4
At the beginning of this time in our world of uncertainty, fear and overwhelming unrest, a dear friend of mine used the expression “palms up”. Since the very first time that I heard that, I have been affected by that phrase. I have meditated on it, pondered what it can mean to me and what it implies.
It is an expression that is hard to research, but after some time praying, I have come across some interesting thoughts and opinions regarding this way of living.
Throughout history, the open palm has been associated with truth, honesty, and openness. On the other hand, a palm down gesture suggests dominance, aggression, and authority. When you communicate, the position of your palms makes a difference.
We can often find ourselves with our palms up when we are worshipping our Lord. This expression of submission and openness to release and receive is an important part of worship. This symbolizes thankfulness and gratitude to the one who created us. It is also a sign of humility – admitting that we do not have all the answers. Humility is not the absence of wisdom but the result of it.
We invite others into our lives when we approach life “palms up”. To never be ashamed to ask for help whether it is from our heavenly Father or from our fellow travelers. Gifts are offered with upward facing palms, sharing our gifts with others. We can give and receive with this approach to life.
We all find ourselves in a place of fear, confusion, anger or whatever your “yuck” might be sometimes. Perhaps if you held those thoughts in your hands and consciously opened with palms up and released those things knowing that we are not in control of the outcome. That simple gesture of opening our palm leaves us no longer giving the “yuck” life.
How often have we begged our Lord for something but instead of waiting patiently for Him to answer we run on ahead instead of pausing with palms up to receive. It takes time and patience to hear and receive from Him, it takes a palm up way of living.
At my stage of life, I have learned (the hard way sometimes) that clinging with a “palms closed” approach to life, trying desperately to hold on to things, has never worked out well for me.
Palms up can open a whole new perspective for you. It can release you from worry, selfishness, and fear, into a place where you are just waiting to catch that next raindrop or to provide a perfect place for a beautiful butterfly to land, even if for only a moment.
I truly believe that our world would be a better place if people intentionally lived with their palms up.
1 reply on “Palms Up Way of Life”
I so appreciate the reflection on ‘palms up.’ It works on so many levels. I have noticed that when I am tense, stressed, concerned, worried, or upset I sometimes clench my fists. As I was reading the reflection, I imagined how I would feel if during those time, I lifted and opened my palms up. Mentally it was very relaxing – a surrender of the negative – and an opening up to receiving the positive. In order to receive blessings, we need to be open to them – and this is a perfect physical gesture to remind us to open up to God’s Blessings.