Give it Up

Give it Up

By Brenda Black

“The more you give, the more you get. The more you love, the less you fret. The more you do unselfishly, the more you live abundantly. The more of everything you share, the more you'll always have to spare. The more you love, the more you'll find that life is good and friends are kind. For only what we give away enriches us from day to day.” Great advice from David and Claudia Arp, first presented in an article in Marriage Partnership magazine. But their philosophy goes far beyond marital give and take. This generosity is universal in application and especially pertinent this time of year.

First things first: Think outside the money box and holiday mayhem. Giving is time and tenderness, understanding, friendship. Once we get beyond the stifling notion that benevolence only comes in the form of dollars and cents, we find at its core foundation that giving never has strings attached that undermine true charity. Whether you expect anything in return or not, the getting that follows giving is purely fringe benefits, all-the-more sweet when they come unexpectedly. Give whether you get or not and you will get better than you ever deserved.

“'Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap...'” (Luke 6:38)

Once the boundaries are blown open and generosity is no longer tied exclusively with monetary ribbons, you can begin to dole out bounty in some of the most interesting places. Perhaps in a crowded hallway, waiting for a meeting.

I was comfortable in my high-backed, plush chair passing the time while watching strangers mingle and meander their way past me. It felt good to relax. It felt even better when I gladly surrendered that comfy seat to one who would not only enjoy it, but needed it immediately. I saw him slowly approaching and wincing with each step. In a heartbeat I jumped to my far more stable feet and insisted that the older gentleman take my chair. He didn't hesitate and kindly acknowledged my gesture while he painfully lowered himself, gripping the tapered and polished arms for support.

He sighed a few times and gratefully thanked me over and over as he began to feel some relief. We visited of course since each of us was alone and neither had anywhere else to be at the moment. That chair was only the beginning of what we shared. As I leaned against a tall table hovering next to his welcome respite, I learned about his cattle and his career and heard about his service in WWII. More people began to gather in the wide passage and several worked their way straight to this man in the chair. I soon discovered I was in the presence of one quite well-known and regarded.

One after another old-timer stopped to reminisce with my new-found friend. I gave up a chair and I received a half-hour of conversation, a first-hand history lesson, and witnessed warm camaraderie. Yeah, I got back way more than I gave.

The theory has been tested time and again. This principle of generosity has no end. Giving gets. Loving never goes out of date. Unselfish acts result in abundant thanks. The more of everything you share, the more you want to do it again. “For only what we give away enriches us from day to day.”

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)

It doesn't take much to give much.

Where did you find love this Valentine's Weekend

This weekend, I found love. I saw love on some dear faces and through innocent embraces. I felt love through selfless service and rediscovered true love from my sweetheart. After you hear where I found love, tell me where you witnessed love in action this Valentine's!

My husband and I visited with a sweet lady Friday night in the hospital, while she recuperated from a terrifying and near fatal bout with fluid around her heart. She told of the suffocating panic she experienced and then her emergency trip by helicopter. But when I looked into her eyes and held the hand of this incredible woman, I saw love. She focused on the bright side with delightful grace and thanked God for each little detail that helped her survive. She warmed my soul and showed me loveliness in its truest form.

We dined at a nice seafood restaurant after our hospital visit and loitered near the lobster tank with a standing, hungry crowd. While most of the adults avoided eye contact by staring at the floor, shuffling their belongings or talking on their cell phones, three little girls opened their arms and demonstrated unashamed love in the company of strangers. In a matter of seconds, the mini misses became bosom buddies by sharing their exuberance for claws and tails and the attention of one another. One embraced her companion and declared - "She's my best friend!" When the squeeze subsided, the third girl out asked, "Can I be your best friend too?" And all agreed. How lovely.

I watched a busy mother of five pack away four pans of homemade cheese cake she took the time to bake and deliver to the church. I watched a youth advisor slop spaghetti sauce for an hour and a worship leader inspire a group of teens to master music, comedy and compassion all for one night of worship. I witnessed a building filled with generosity and gratitude to support a youth missions trip and saw teens serve their elders. I saw love in action.

I just gave my hubby a silly card and we giggled as we plopped across the bed, not quite ready for the day to end. Then I opened a pastel pink and beautiful, lacy, white card filled with tender sentiment and honest devotion from my husband of 23 years. I melted into his arms where it felt safe and warm knowing he still thinks I make him complete. I'm glad I found true love.

Your turn!!!! Where did you see love?

Give Versus Get

Give Versus Get
By Brenda Black

He arrived at the back door bearing a small cardboard box. Snow plastered his jacket as he patiently stood in the cold while I fumbled with a stubborn lock. He seemed unaffected by the shocking blustering wind that bit at his back. Kind brown eyes and a genuine smile framed an ever reddening nose and all he said was Merry Christmas.

I received my unexpected gift on a dark winter night. A stranger delivered it across miles of blacktop and winding gravel roads. As I returned to a hot supper in a cozy house, he still had miles to go and numerous stops to make before ever seeing the lights of home. Sure, it's his job and a sense of duty may render the package's arrival. But the courier's gracious patience says he takes pleasure in bringing good news to the people on his route.

I'll admit, special gifts are fun to receive, but joy lingers longer when we become the bearer. Quite possibly, the uniformed trucker has learned like the prophet Isaiah, the privilege of sharing encouragement.

“The Spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn...” (Isaiah 61:1-2)

Most of the time, prophets have the doleful duty to administer warnings of pending doom. Isaiah must have been thrilled for the contrasting departure! In fact he tells us of his elation.

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.” (Ish. 61:10-11)

The question remains: Is it more blessed to give than receive? Decide for yourself. Receive a gift and think affectionately of the giver - Versus - Give hope to the poor and feel empathy. Bind up the brokenhearted and feel whole. Proclaim freedom for the frightened captives and feel unspeakable peace. Comfort those who grieve and feel purpose.

This time of year, we dwell on material goods that demonstrate meaningful emotions. All that bowing and bestowing is par for the festivities, but beyond the bags and boxes this Christmas, we can give a gift that truly makes a difference. While you sit down and fill out the name tag for gleaming packages and stocking stuffers, stand in the gap and lift up others in prayer before the Provider and Healer and Savior. Paul instructed Timothy to do likewise.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Christmas is the perfect season for sentimentality. It is a time when tangible evidence reveals intimate thoughts. The traditional exchange of gifts is an example of generosity and conveys appreciation or commitment. More importantly, Christmas giving models Christ.

The Savior of the World came as a gift-giver. He arrived on a dark cold night and warmed hearts with His presence. Across eternity, from unseen heavens, a lowly stranger delivered a message of hope and salvation. He was and is Good News. He imparted sincerity, touched lives, and graciously gave of his life to fulfill a covenant.

In Him we are both blessed to receive and give. For when we share the miracle of a Messiah by giving His love to others, we receive the blessing. Give the greatest gift – the hope of heaven, the love of the Lord, the promise of forgiveness. And get the warmest feeling on earth. Merry Christmas.