Today, I’d like to just stand up and give a shout out to the givers, the people who continually look for ways to put others ahead of themselves. Sometimes they do it with fanfare, but usually they simply do it with heart, never thinking twice about the act itself. When God said He loved a cheerful giver, He had to have those people in mind. You know some of them. You are one of them. Thank you for simply being a kind and generous you. We don’t usually need much help in figuring out how to give to someone else, but here’s a few ideas to consider. One writer put it this way. “Give strength, give thought, give deeds, give wealth. Give love, give tears, and give yourself…the more you give, the more you live.” Wow!
Give strength: On any given day, someone you know feels weak or depressed or lonely. They think life is nothing but struggle. They can hardly navigate the day. Your kindness will give them strength.
Give thought: Send an encouraging text, or make a friendly phone call, or write an email and open a door for someone by simply sharing a helpful idea, a kind word, a thoughtful scripture. Your thoughts make a difference. In fact, one nice thought from you could pour sunshine on a weary soul.
Give deeds: You may discount things you do for others, shrugging them off as nothing, but your good deeds make life easier and keep hope alive. Baking cookies for the neighbors, sending a card, taking a friend to the airport…your good deed options are as endless as your imagination.
Give wealth: Most of us don’t even recognize how wealthy we are. Given the standards of most of the world, we’re incredibly blessed. If you are doing well, give God the glory. If you’re on the downside of financial stability, give God the glory. He will provide and stand by you, until you feel victorious again.
Give love: Loving others seems like the easy one, but God knows how hard it can be. That’s why it bears the greatest risk and reward. The beautiful thing about giving love is that you will never run out of your supply. The more you give, the more God will give back to you.
Give tears: If you’ve ever cried with a friend, or grieved with someone in great pain, you know what a blessing shared tears can be. Even Jesus wept. Your heart is the giver of tears.
Give of yourself: Finally, each time you offer others your authentic, generous, and thoughtful self, you make a difference. You become the blessing. You become the reason someone else had an amazing day.
God blesses you every time you choose to be a giver, to honor His children with all that you are able to share. Thanks for being wonderful you!