GROWING IN SPIRIT

To grow spiritually, you have to open up. A few weeks ago at work, I had to download the newest version of Acrobat Reader on my computer. This is a software program that allows you to view scanned documents that weren't originally created in an electronic format. (These documents are called PDF files.) The next time I went to open a PDF file, my computer was still using the older version of the software. Then I realized that I had to open up the newest version in order for it to become the applied version.
This caused me to think about all the other things that I open up. I open up a bottle of water when I'm thirsty. I open up the refrigerator door when it's time for dinner (usually hoping that by magic some wonderful meal has been prepared and placed in there but that hasn't happened yet). I open bottles of seasonings to flavor my food, the pantry door to access a variety of ingredients for a recipe, the closet door to get my clothes, the washer to wash my clothes, the front door of my house to go outside (or inside). Everything that I want to access requires me to open something up.
It is the same with our spiritual and emotional lives. If I want more love in my life I first must open up my heart and access what is already there to get more of it. If I want more spirituality in my life I first must open up and access that place inside of me where it already lives. Because we want "more" of something, we are actually acknowledging that there is already "some" of that within us. The software is already there, we just want the newest version of it. We open up so we can apply it to our lives.
When we are open to something, whether it be an idea, a principle or seeing a new dimension of life, God will make us aware of what is already around us. Just like when you decide you want to buy a new car, suddenly you are more aware of all the different models out there and what interests you. If you want a new couch suddenly you notice all the furniture stores out there that you never "saw" before. This is because we have opened up to having that, whatever we chose "that" to be, in our lives.
I am choosing to be open to having more love in my life. I chose to recognize the love that is already around me, from friends, family, co-workers and especially from God. A few years ago my little cockatiel, Cheeks, flew away. I was very saddened by this. Because I have a face that reads like a book, some co-workers were aware that something was wrong. I told them why I was so sad and ended up shedding a few tears in front of them. They both came to me later that morning and said "Come to lunch with us." We don't often share lunches together so it was a real treat and a very tender thing for them to do for me. I was open (and vulnerable) with them and I ended up being the winner. We had a very good lunch and it lifted my spirits. I found more love that day because I sought it out.
What would you like to seek more of in your life? When you determine that for yourself, then open up to having more of it, for you will find it.
"Seek and ye shall find."
Jesus