Chris and I are the type of people who really like to bless others. One of our greatest pleasures in life is to not only bless someone, but to do so extravagantly. During these stretching times, it can be so hard to feel restricted in this area, but there’s always something we can do. In October I began to provide meals to the four pastor families at our church, once a month. Even through this down time I have joyfully continued to do this. It has brought me such peace and satisfaction to continue on. I’ve also been trying to intentionally bless my children with my time. This is always a worthy idea.
What has been revealing though, is how we’ve felt as some friends and loved ones have gifted us money.
I will never for my whole life forget the moment I began to get paypal payments from a group of worship leaders that I’m connected with. Several different ones sent love offerings to us, completely out of the blue. My heart was beyond moved.
This is not something we are used to being on the receiving end of….I saw the sadness dance across my husbands face the first time it happened. It wasn’t because he was ungrateful, it was because he was having that moment when you know you can’t do what you long to do, but others still can.
I, on the other hand, had been longing for our friends and loved ones to love on us this way. I longed to be loved in the way we had loved on others. Not because we deserved it. Not from a greedy heart, but I just needed to feel thought of…I wanted to know God was putting us on other people’s hearts.
We have seen such extravagant blessings at the hands of those we love. We will be forever grateful. And know this, it’s only lit a fire under us to continue to give as much as we can now and more than ever later. Just because we aren’t working doesn’t mean I can’t give in little ways every day. There’s never any excuse to stop giving.
Prayer Moment: Take some time today and evaluate your life. No matter what your circumstances, are you giving? Giving can be done in so many different ways, it’s not just a financial issue. You can give time, words of encouragement, hugs, casual hospitality in your home. You are a gift. Find a way to reach out this week. You won’t regret it.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of the glory of Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear Him. Psalms 67:7
365 Days in the Presence 