I hate to admit it, but selfishness seems to be an effortless rut in the road of my life. It requires no strain for me to think far too often of myself, to grip too tightly to my time, my resources, and my life. Maybe that’s why the impromptu visit with my friend impacted me so deeply.
She called, requesting to deliver something to my office.
“Whatever could it be?” my selfish heart imagined.
She began to unfold an unexpected and refreshingly tender burden that had weighed heavily on her heart for weeks. Her thoughts represented a stark contrast to my own heart, cluttered and calloused by the myriad of responsibilities I was juggling at the office. My friend had plenty of responsibilities that could deplete her mind and exhaust her energy; yet these had not crowded out the opportunity that pounded in her soul: the awareness of a dear family, who was navigating a dark and difficult season, which extended beyond weeks and months and was now threatening years with the gnawing fear of an unchanging future.
My friend had a decision to make: Would she simply pray for them or could she actually become part of the answer to their prayers?
She had faith to believe the latter, and decided to purchase a variety of gift cards, focused on creating fun memories for each member of the family. It was an active gesture of faith, anchored to the hope that God could shine the light of His love into their darkness through a simple act of kindness and generosity.
She asked me if I would anonymously hand-deliver this bundle of gifts. The invitation blew into my heart like a fresh and unexpected breeze, fanning into flame a joy-spark that held the power to torch my own self-centered thoughts. In parting, she humbly disclosed an incredible key to keep these fires burning. “Years ago we opened a ‘generosity’ savings account, used simply to invest a regular part of our income into, so that when opportunities present themselves, we are prepared to respond to those needs.”
What a wild-fire of joy we each have the opportunity of igniting by intentionally carving out a portion of our time, our finances, our food or our talents to respond generously to needs that emerge around us! I began to imagine how this fearsome joy-fire could spread out of control, literally pouring hope into countless hearts!
The Bible declares, “Generous people plan to do what is generous…..” Isaiah 32:8
Generosity doesn’t happen by accident! We plan for it, make room for it, set aside space in our daily lives for it! We have the opportunity to hold back the suffocating effects of self-centered living by simply planning to be generous!
In the midst of writing these reflections, another wild-fire ignited around me. My youngest son called, overwhelmed by an answer to prayer: Last December, he sold his car in order to pay the remaining balance toward his three month mission’s trip to New Zealand. Now, as a car-less Bible college student in Seattle, he laid his growing transportation needs before the Father. That need was met at the same moment I was writing this post on generosity! Briley broke into sobs when he received the unexpected phone call, “Briley, someone just donated a car to the church with your name on it!”
Generous people plan to do what is generous…
Let’s leave margin, within our day, within our finances, within our meal planning and talents, to be generous!
I have the power to spread a joy-fire! And so do you! Let’s allow this Truth to become the unstoppable spark to ignite an wildfire of joy in someone’s life today!
Beauty Awaits….
Patty
Anchor of Hope: “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 10-11
What a blessing and inspiration the generosity of others is!
Inspiring as always, your words painted a beautiful picture of a generous soul.
Thanks for sharing. She reminder is well taken
Patty, thank you!