Today is the start of the challenge to spend the season of Lent in the practice of giving. This is not my idea, it came from the book "29 Gifts". The book detailed the life of the author giving away 29 gifts in 29 days and how it impacted her life. I started to give away 29 gifts. It was amazing how little opportunities popped up and how much joy came my way. Starting the day asking God to show me where he wanted me to give each day gave me a focus that I normally don't have. It made each day exciting as I watched for opportunities to serve others. The fact was most gifts were small and seemed somewhat insignificant, but hopefully not to the receiver. Sometimes the littlest things mean the most.
I have been amazed how many of you have decided to join the journey. It is a gift that you have given me. Forty days is a long time and knowing that others are joining me will help to keep me focused each day. I will try to post something each day to help encourage us has we trust to be lead to "be doers of the word". Please sign on to be a follower and share your stories of giving that you find meaningful to encourage others.
The verse for the day:
"Do everything in love" 1 Corinthians 16: 14
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Today started with an exchange of anniversary cards with Joe as we celebrate 48 years of marriage. (It was a day much like today when we married at Three Bridges Reformed Church.) Afterward I met Sue and six other members of our church for a kick-off breakfast to begin our 40 day commitment of giving. Donna gave each of us a notebook to journal each day. Ash Wednesday services followed and I had the opportunity to give the gift of music. IHN was my next stop, where I got fantastic news about a client who has been at the top of my prayer list for 19 months. When I got home, I opened my journal and started a page entitled "In Prayer For:" where I started a list of people who I can faithfully pray for during these 40 days of Lent.
ReplyDeleteMy gift today was sending to flowers to a co-worker who is currently in the middle of a divorce. She went home sick, but I think more mental then physical. Below is the e-mail I just got:
ReplyDeletethank you so much for the flowers. i totally flipped out on the delivery lady when she called for directions. i was, like, WHAT? i haven't gotten flowers in so long. i'm so inspired by you, i am sending flowers to my sister.
How awesome the paying it forward reaction!!!
Thanks for setting up this blog Sue. It's going to be fun following every morning. Yesterday after leaving breakfast I went to spend the day with a friend whose husband recently had lung surgery. I was going to visit with him but he slept most of the day. I think it meant a lot to my girlfriend that we spent the day together because I she is starting to get bored and lonek. At the same time we sewed together and I made placemats for Meals on Wheels. I think that the most amazing thing that happened to me yesterday was Pastor Keith's meditation during the Lenten Service. He spoke about giving up for 40 days during Lent and perhaps it would be better to give for 40 days. Wow, that hit home! He ended the service with "go out and do random acts of kindness."
ReplyDelete