When you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. Psalm 104:28b
I think every grandparent jokes about buying the grandkids a pony.
When my children were young, my wife's parents didn't only joke about it; they did it. It was a lifelong dream to own a little place where they could go to get away from the noise of the city. Having grandchildren seemed to be the final encouragement they needed; they bought twenty acres of land outside of town.
The first task my father-in-law tackled was building a barn. He knew it would be a necessity, for to them, there was nothing more satisfying than seeing their grandkids light up around farm animals. Eventually, that barn housed two ponies, four or five cows, a hog, a mule, too many goats to count, quite a few chickens, and a couple roosters. (My daughter didn't like the roosters very much. She was glad when one of them lost a fight with the dog. He wouldn't be around to peck at her anymore.) There was even a corn snake that took up residence in the barn. (I was the one who didn't like him very much. Although he did a good job at keeping the mice away, I wasn't at all unhappy when he frightened my daughter and my father-in-law decided it needed to go.)
One of the lessons I remember about this time of life was the joy, and sometimes the frustration, that comes with tending livestock. Another lesson I learned was about feeding an animal by hand. An open hand sure gets their attention. Apples, carrots, grain - whatever it is, an open hand means treats are waiting. The most important lesson was that an open hand also keeps your fingers from being bitten!
In Psalm 104, the psalmist paints a beautiful picture of God caring for all the creatures on earth. With an open hand, He satisfies them with good things.
This same open hand is extended to us.
Lord, why am I never satisfied? It seems even Your open hand isn't enough sometimes. I seem to expect more - more from everyone else, more from You, more from myself. Teach me to be content. Teach me to be satisfied with the good things you give. Help me to learn that Your open hand means treats are waiting.
Thank You for all You have given me.