Discover how yielding ourselves wholly to God, especially in the midst of challenging circumstances, lends new purpose to our lives. “Vivian Mabuni is a kind and trustworthy guide through one of adulthood’s secrets: life doesn’t go like you thought it would.”—Jen Hatmaker, New York Times best-selling author of For the Love and Of Mess and Moxie As women after God’s heart, we honestly desire to please God. We want to be used by Him and to experience the peace and fulfillment He wants for us. Yet it’s all too easy to fall into living mechanically, with a rule-based approach to the Christian life, or to focus on getting what we want when we want it. Even when we want to be willing, saying yes to whatever God asks often feels scary, and the distractions of this world get in the way. Vivian Mabuni knows this all too well, but she’s discovered that open-handed living starts with an intentional posture of the heart. Through surrender to His will, we draw closer to God in a way that makes our day-to-day lives more purposeful, powerful, and pleasing to Him. With Vivian’s warm encouragement in Open Hands, Willing Heart, you’ll learn how to step out in courageous trust as you invite God to give and take—and move and work—in your life as He sees fit. Along the way you’ll discover true joy and serenity that will carry you through every circumstance.

Will has a temper as wild as the bear he holds inside. Normally he's an easy-going, caring guy, but if someone crosses him, he uses his claws and shifter strength to set them straight. His temper ruined his chance at the career he wanted, but now he's working at Wild R Farm, enjoying the camaraderie and longing for more with one special man. No one at the farm knows much about Ryan. He's done time in prison, and he carries scars that tell of something horrible in his past. When he gifts Will with one of his rare smiles, Will decides to do whatever it takes to get him to smile more often. Will is used to being a protector, and even when he learns Ryan's dark secrets, he refuses to turn away. What he doesn't realize is that he needs Ryan's quiet strength as much as Ryan needs someone to show they care. Ryan's past threatens to send him running, but Will and the rest of the crew of Wild R prove that no matter the danger, they take care of their own.

We all have a purpose in life. We are not an accident. We may not know or understand it fully yet, but we do have a purpose. We have a God-given reason to exist. We were created with a purpose, as part of God’s master plan. Our purpose includes a life of service. We were uniquely created to help serve others, and not just yourself. Did you know that God actually prepares opportunities for us to serve? Yes, the Almighty Creator of all that we know cares enough about each of us to give us special occasions to help other people. He wants to teach us to become more like Him through service. In the Bible, the apostle Paul says so. “For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.” (Ephesians 2:10) That is the purpose of this book as well. It is to remind and encourage both Christians and non-Christians of the amazing plan and responsibility to serve. Anyone who helps handicapped children or mentally disabled adults, or serves the homeless knows how much they get in return. It feels good to help others. Those who give often receive back much more than expected. The reader will find Willing Hands full of proven ideas and simple reminders that service is not complicated, costly, or out-of-reach. Each suggestion has been written to be concise and to-the-point. Each recommendation within this book can easily be made an active part of our lives. Service may not always easy, and sometimes we all need a bit of encouragement and support, but it truly is a great way of life.

Preface -- Introducing hands -- Building hands -- Energizing hands -- Willing hands -- Seeing hands -- Hearing hands -- Feeling hands -- Joining hands -- Extending hands -- Notes -- References -- Index