This week was filled with blessings beyond any that I could have expected.
It started out when a friend asked if I’d heard from a mutual friend. I answered in the affirmative. That friend had had some extra groceries and she said God laid it on her heart to share with me. She delivered them and as she parted, I knew I had some extra avocados – so I offered them and she gladly accepted. She came to be a blessing and was blessed in return.
When I told him this story, he said he wanted to do a better job of helping out where he could. He reached out a day later, and told me of an incredible story where he was able to step in. You could tell the joy that he experienced in being able to be a blessing.
And so the week started of exchanging stories of how we had seen God move for us.
I’m the stewardship leader at my church, and stewardship is dear to my heart. I’m even working on a designation that combines both faith and finance in my professional life. The scripture that was recently used came from Luke 6:38 ‘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.’
While this passage is often used with giving money, that’s not the case. This passage is all encompassing. It’s talking about everything we give: our time, our talent, our resources.. and yes… our money too. But that’s not the only thing.
When we willingly share our gifts with others, it has a way of coming back. I’ve started noticing that even when I give my time to causes, that it somehow seems to get redeemed in other ways.
I have so many examples from just this week that I wish I had the space to fully share.
I had an interaction with a dentist’s receptionist and then the dentist that left me feeling so overwhelmed with gratitude. I think I’ll share that story another time. But I felt so listened to and cared for – and that had been my very first interaction with them.
A friend from high school checked on me and Amelia and were so generous with gifts, so that I would simply be reminded that I was special.
As my mom was texting me and worried about how I would manage with the snow, I told her I’d figure it out the following day. But when I looked out a few minutes later, my neighbor was already using his snow blower and then his shovel to create a walk way for me.
In most of these instances, I had done something prior – not expecting anything in return, but I believe God multiplied my efforts and generosity and gave it back to me.
I pray that I will always be generous with any resource that I have.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the lessons you have given us on how to live. Help us to be good stewards of all that you have entrusted to us, reminding us that you own all of it, and we’re simply care takers. Help us to be generous to those we meet.
