I love to give gifts to family members and friends.
The funny thing is, in the past, I often gave a gift and accompanied it with an apology.
“If you don’t like it, you can exchange it.”
“If that’s not exactly what you wanted, there’s a gift receipt in there …”
Oftentimes, the person hadn’t even seen what I’d given them and I was already assuming they wouldn’t like it. Wouldn’t want it.
Then there are times when I think about calling a friend who’s having a rough week. Or sending them a quick email to say hi and let them know I’m praying for them.
But I don’t because, you know, sending a pretty card would be better. Or showing up at their house with a bouquet of flowers would mean more.
And so I do nothing.
And doing nothing … well, what good is that? Giving something — even the smallest word of encouragement — may be just what my friend needed to hear.
Giving the little that we have — with no hesitation and no qualifiers — may be the difference between emotional darkness and light for someone in need.
Let’s think about that … no, let’s act on that truth.
In Your Words: When have you been prompted to give what you had to someone and found it better than you imagined?
In Others' Words: When We Give What We Have http://bit.ly/2JXrm6t #quotes #giving Click To Tweet 'Give what you have to somebody, it may be better than you think.' Quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow http://bit.ly/2JXrm6t #giving #relationships Click To Tweet
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I’m not sure how to answer this, except with a story; I hope you will bear with me.
I’m going through the pit of hell these days, with pain and fever and other things that are simply beyond the pale of my imagination. And yet…
Barbara has friends, a dear couple of whom the lady has been hospitalized several times over the past few months. She was hydrocephalic as a baby, an it seems the shunt might be giving her trouble.
They’re scared, and they need a loving friend.
I have enjoined Barbara to be with these dear people when she’s needed; I play life by Big Boys’ Rules, and I can cope. Yes, we have a couple of baseball teams’ worth of dogs, and yes, high fever and projectile vomiting is my new normal. But I can cope.
I can give grace by not demanding grace.
Author
Andrew: You are such a warrior, such a fighter, and yet, yes, one of your weapons in this battle is grace. I’ve seen that over and over again. You’ve been in my prayers daily, friend.
On Mother’s Day a couple years ago a parade of women came to mind; women whose friendship gave me life in vital seasons and those who have walked the trenches daily for years. As I began to give thanks for them, I decided to reach out through text, wishing them a blessed day and thanking them for their investment in my life.
I have been learning that God’s gift of words may or may not ever find me published or known beyond my small sphere, yet to these I can give life through words. So, as often as that call whispers, I try to respond. On that Mother’s Day, it was a small gesture, yet a sweet encouragement to those the Lord put on my heart, sparking precious conversations and reconnecting me to a few friends I hadn’t spoken to in years.
Giving what little we have surprises with its impact. The biggest grace is often humbly clothed, yet anything done in obedience bears the fullness of Glory.
Author
” … anything done in obedience bears the fullness of Glory.”
Love this truth, Bernadette.
It’s my 3rd winter in Mississippi and I had not connected w/ any medical staff. I had a “get-acquainted” visit today and apparently Corinth is enough of a small town that they find my life interesting. They insisted on seeing (and buying) my children’s books, hearing mission trip travel stories, and being sweeter than I could imagine. We’ll meet soon for lunch. They kept saying I brightened their day and thanked me profusely, but they have no idea how much they brightened mine (along w/ the dr.’s good report). Lots of smiles and hugs were freely given along with the open promise of many more!
Author
And your retelling of this tale made my day, Dee. Corinth sounds like such a wonderful town. 🙂