When was the last time someone just gave you something, because they had it to give and they wanted you to have it? It could’ve been your kid’s cookie, soggy but still sweet. It could’ve been tickets to a concert. Or a work of art.
When was the last time you gave something to someone out of the goodness of your heart and the overflow of your life?
I’m not a giver. Well, not in the traditional sense. I give time, although I am rather greedy with mine. I budget it carefully. And it goes out, in various stages, to various people and places. But I want to give more. I want to give out of other areas of my life as well.
So I’m asking myself what I have to give. And I’m trying to be really really honest.
One thing that has recently resurfaced is “my story”–in a few surprising forms. But people are poking around in my life in search of answers in their own lives. I may not have all the answers, but I do have my own experience. So I am giving that.
But what else? What else have I been given in surplus so I can give it to someone else? That is the question I have devoted to today. But not just for me. For you too.
What do you have to give? Be honest. Be real. Toss “humility” out the window, because that’s not what this is about. This is about locating the things of value in your life that are there for the sake of someone else. What’s there? What do you have to give?
I am SOOOO greedy with my time…Ugh. I didn’t even think about it until I read this. Dang it.
Apparently, I need to spend some time considering this….
An ear to hear whatever needs to be said.
I talk too much on any given day, just ask anyone who knows me.
But…., when I am faced with someone who has BAD stuff going on (shame, guilt, crime, hurt, death, infidelity, terminal illness, etc.), for some reason it shifts my mouth firmly into park, and my ears into high gear wide open. All I want at that point is for that person to get what they need to say to someone all out without being judged (my poker face is pretty good) and with an understanding that no matter what, someone cares. It gives me great joy to be able to do that for someone, and I hope gives them that one small glimmer of hope that will get them through the next hour, day, week or whatever.
I think I know why I can do that. I need it in my life from others at times, and I cannot overemphasize how important it has been in my literal survival in life as I screw things up sometimes.
Very thought provoking. I think time, encouraging words and prayer are things I can give even more of.
encouragment: i enjoy telling someone who is tackling something difficult or challenging that they can do it and they will do it well.
I think in a sense “giving” is a lifestyle. We need to be willing to give whatever Christ asks of us. If we are Holy people, we belong to HIM. And, everything we have belongs to Him. If He asks me to give it to someone else than I must. Its HIS not mine. It may be a listening ear, it may be time, it may be money – whatever He asks me to give. I have no right to tell Him that He cannot take that from me – it’s mine! No it is not.
I think for me, it’s time. I don’t have a lot of extra, but I do waste a lot as well. I often don’t stop to listen, or enjoy, or just take it in. time. I have some to give, yet I hoard it for myself…