the love of giving…..

“If I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it but if I didn’t love others, I would be no no value whatsoever.” 1 Corinthians 13:2-3

There was a point in our life when God began to truly bless us abundantly. I believe it came at a time when I gave up a high paying position to stay at home and raise our two youngest children. We had just taken on a huge financial commitment in a new home and really needed my salary. God was leading me to a far more important job, the task of raising two little human beings. I had raised our oldest son on my own and God blessed us that he turned out well. But, I felt differently now about these two younger ones. It worked out perfectly because I trusted God would take care of us. And He did.

We began to share what God had blessed us with. This didn’t always happen consciously. We would happen to fall into circumstances that made us think about helping someone. It really felt good to help others in whatever way we did. Then, we received a gift by our giving. It became contagious. Our entire family became involved and we saw our young grand children joining in. It was a huge transition and we felt really good about it.

Over several years we became involved with a family that needed a lot of help. Even more help than we could provide financially. This made us start thinking about how we could raise money to accomplish what we needed to do. The outpouring of help and support from our friends and our community was amazing. We realized how many generous people we were surrounded by. And, if they didn’t have the money to give, they had other gifts, talents, treasures they could share to help us accomplish what we set out to do.

Over twenty years we saw the generosity of our community first hand. Seldom did anyone refuse to help because our needs were so obvious and so necessary. This generosity extended beyond Ponte Vedra Beach, it included our entire television viewing area.

Recently we have experienced a different side of giving. In late April I was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma – Pancreatic Cancer. When the Doctor told us she found a tumor in my pancreas everything changed. The most important thing that happened was that we became the recipient of giving. People wanted to help US! Tom and I agreed we would accept whatever was offered. We heard the need in their voices to do something to help. Flowers and cards, special no fat meals, housecleaning, nursing help, offers to drive to appointments or to just sit. It was overwhelming.

What we learned is that giving is the deepest form of love. We had experienced it one side in the past, but now were we seeing it from the receiving side.

God wants us to love our fellow man. He wants us to help those who need help. He shows us HIS love each time we share an act of kindness. We see God’s love in the eyes of those who help us.

When everything around us seems to be terror filled and prejudiced, don’t fall for that untruth. Be the person God wants you to be. Show your love, show His love by giving in any way you are able.

Think how wonderful the world would be if we all did this.