How Do You Love?

Years ago, whenever I would go visit my parents, my mom and I would take walks together. Those walks became some of my favorite memories. We enjoyed getting outside and getting exercise, but more than anything, we loved talking about life.

One day during one of those walks, I opened up to her about a relationship that was weighing heavily on my heart. The person cared about me, but they struggled to express love in the ways I needed most. I remember feeling confused and hurt, wondering why love sometimes feels so distant even when someone says they care.

That’s when my mom gave me an illustration I’ve never forgotten.

She held her hand closed and said,
“Some people love like this.”

Then she slowly opened her hand and said,
“And some people love like this.”

In one simple moment, she explained something profound.

Some people live emotionally guarded. They protect themselves from vulnerability because they fear disappointment, rejection, or pain. Their love may be real, but it can be difficult to feel because it stays hidden behind walls.

Others love with open hands. They are willing to be vulnerable. Willing to connect. Willing to give and receive love freely.

That conversation has stayed with me for years.

One of my favorite songs has always been The Rose. The lyrics speak so beautifully about fear and the risk of loving. Every time I hear it, I think about my mom’s illustration. So many people spend their lives trying to protect themselves from hurt that they also end up protecting themselves from joy, connection, and deep relationships.

Living with closed hands may feel safer, but it can also become lonely.

Love requires openness.

It requires risk.

It requires trust.

And when I think about the image of open palms, I can’t help but think about Christ and the way He loves us.

Isaiah 49:16 says:

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”

What a beautiful picture of love that remains open, available, and constant.

So today, maybe the question isn’t simply “Do you love?”

Maybe the better question is:

How do you love?

Do you love with closed hands, guarded and afraid?

Or do you love with open hands?

My challenge to you today is this:

Live with your palms wide open.

Love the people around you freely.
Speak kindness generously.
Choose forgiveness for your own peace.
Show people they matter while you still have the chance.

Because some of the greatest joy in life is found when we stop protecting our hearts so tightly and start allowing love to flow freely through them.

And maybe that openness is exactly what someone around you needs most today.

Cathy Jewell - VoiceRise