Be careful how you live; you may be the only Bible some people ever read. UNKNOWN
I BELIEVE we rob ourselves of joy by not giving something away-every day. There’s nothing in the world like the feeling you get when you perform a random act of kindness. I almost feel guilty for the pleasure I gain when I am helpful to someone. If it feels so good, why do we stop to think before we just do? Are we afraid we’ll look too soft? Are we afraid we might be embarrassed if the offer for help is refused? Or do we talk ourselves out of helping by drawing a fact-less conclusion that the person will be fine and doesn’t really need our assistance?
Most people limit their gifts to money or time. Both are critical, but I’ve discovered joy by looking for other things to give such as:
• Encouragement. Let’s admit it-we’re all faced with challenges every day. That’s why I started writing my blog. Girlfriends need encouragement. Many of you give away encouragement by forwarding my notes on to your girlfriends, and some of you write me to cheer me on. What inspiration I gain from you! • An extra pair of hands. Ever see a mom struggling at the grocery store or at the airport with her kids, bags, doors, car seats, etc.? I always smile, ask gently if I can lend a pair of hands-and have never been refused. The mother looks at me like I’m some sort of angel. What brings me joy about this? I usually get to hold the baby! • Your seat. This one gave me my biggest jolt of joy ever. I had the opportunity to give my first-class airline seat to an army private coming home for leave from the war in Iraq. Every minute I sat in his middle seat from Dallas to Portland was pure joy. What an honor it was for me to serve him, if only for three hours and fifty-none minutes. Wow! I could have floated off that plane. (And he was pretty tickled too.) • Forgiveness. I give forgiveness. Because I make mistakes, I know others do too. I’ve found when I give forgiveness, it’s me-not the other person-who benefits. Forgiveness is freeing, and being free is joyful.
The generous will prosper; Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (PROVERBS 11:25)
Some people confuse this type of generosity with being nice, but it’s much more than that. There’s nothing like the rush of joy you get when you give something away. So what will you give away today?
TAMF m:41 xh:41 T: 20 M: 15 D: 16 D: 14 Bomb dropped: 7/3/10 separated: 7/15/10 H moved in to new apt. with OW: 7/1/11 divorced: 8/26/12
