I just moved into the new place this weekend. I think I described it before, but it's a townhouse, 2 bdrm, 2 1/2 bth, and so far I like it a lot! They put in new carpet and painted before we moved in. David was very helpful with the move. He did a lot of loading and unloading as did his roommate Spencer. Kevin and Lindsey helped out their friends (now my friends too) Jeff and Jennie came and were over the top helpful. I've really been amazed at how generous people (including the aforementioned) have been here. I got a bed thanks to the church secretary and furniture ministry at church. It's a full and very comfortable. Then when Jennie saw I had a bar and no dining room table, she said she had some barstools she'd give me that had been sitting in her attic. On Saturday, I met my friend Tennille's sister (Lisa Dahlman) for coffee and found out they were trying to sell and give away some furniture they have in storage, sooo I bought their washer and dryer and was given a nice, comfortable, brown suede couch. God always provides more abundantly that I expect or imagine.
This has all made me think about: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." Acts 2:44, 45 I've been that one in need recently, and it's cool how people have given things or how I could get furniture for a cheap amount, and by paying, in return, help out the ones who are selling. I don't read these verses and get worried that God's calling us to political socialism :) , but rather I think it's about people with sincere spirits that seek to give and bless other people. When you are on the receiving end of giving like that, it has a domino effect. I'm finding all the time that it's not about how much you perceive that you have to give. It's about what you have, right now, and blessing other people with what you have, right now. I think giving and allowing what you have to be used, right now, is the best use of what God gives us (Matthew 25). For me, the real key is thinking outside the box and noticing the needs people have that I have the ability and means (from God in the first place), right now, to meet - even when it feels like I don't have that much and I'd like to have more.
Since I'm so charged up right now about this topic, let's have a little discussion board generosity regarding creative or not-so-creative ways you have given to others, ways others have given to you, or ways you observed other people give and meet needs. And be generous with your comments! :D
6 comments:
Skills--Aaron and I are both terrible at home improvement and both of our dads have used their skills in that area to make our house a better place to live. Aaron's Dad repaired our garage door and put in digital thermostats when he came down after Maddy was born. At Maddy's b-day this year my dad repaired our garage door (again) and replaced our garbage disposal. Both of them don't think this is a big deal because it is fairly easy for them to do these things but to us it is really big because we haven't a clue. Another way is people spending time with Maddy and giving me a break. They love hanging out with her so to them it's not a big deal that they played with her, but to me it is huge because I need a break sometimes. I hope that I use my skills to help people but I don't really know because I think that often we don't tend to see the things we're good at really being that much of a service, but to someone who isn't good at something it can be more of a blessing that we'd ever imagine.
Agreed. Dad with my car, and Tricia a lot of times with putting furniture together for me is huge for me, because I don't enjoy that stuff and it takes me forever to figure it out myself.
Another thing that's really nice is people who have come and sat next to me at school, a training, or church. Seems like a small thing, but it turns into a big thing when I'm new somewhere and somewhat intimidated.
Brittany has fantastic skills at maintaining and growing relationships with people, which is awesome because I am terrible at those things. However, I am pretty good at talking with and encouraging people once I am in the same room with them. I really appreciate her efforts to get me in the same room with people. Without her, I would not have really spend any time building relationships with others during the last five years of grad school.
MATT
Great post. These are good thoughts. I think it's important not to think that you're doing others a favor because they "like" to do something. Just because someone likes driving doesn't mean you should feel off the hook and let them drive 16 hours. I think it's better to allow people to serve rather than do an act, because that's where the growth lies. i.e., someone offers to help you move. Don't feel great because you feel you're doing them a favor since they "like" to pack boxes. Think of it as allowing them an opportunity to serve. And that will encourage you to serve in return. Not just because you "like" something or might be good at it, but because we are called to it. A big part of this is that most people don't really "like" the things they say they do. They're just trying to be nice and let you feel like you're doing them a favor. I don't feel I'm particularly good at a lot of things. Nor do I like to do them. But doing them regardless is the way to go! my opinion.
brittany
I often feel obligated to do things when in fact they should be taken as more of a serving tool. I like to do more than receive, but I have to say that Brit's right when we allow people to grow by serving as well. I see it in all the family - strictly speaking to those who commented, I'll commence:
Holly - cooking for students, getting maddy ready for all her appointments, working with Aaron's and her own crazy schedule of school, and always having time to talk all done without complaining show me her servant heart.
Aaron- organizing activities for everyone, always offering to help in situations (even when it really puts them out!), borrowing a truck to help me move the couch, etc., taking care of his mom from here with a good attitude; they are both such a blessing to me and I'm so thankful they are here.
Brit- putting all the newsletters together and sending them out in mass form, building a relationship with each of us is important to her though she's not blood related, prayer and looking for ways to serve/reach out to other people, cooking for people who come to your house and opening your home to them, those are some of the ways I see Brittany using her servant influence.
Matt- always opening the house and asking people to come and stay, sitting and talking with each person he can even when it encroaches on his own time or something else as fun - to get quality time with each person, giving the pick up to a friend in need (both of you did this), and I can go on and on about these two - examples to me in their service.
Jess- giving her time to pick up stuff for people, write notes of encouragement, run by little gifts or simply sit and chat, picking up Kari for church every Sunday in Monroe without complaint, looking patiently for housing and "giving" on situations that might not be as she wanted, and offering whatever resources she has to help those in need.
I have been challenged and have been working on giving my resources, sharing with those in my life who don't have what I have and doing it with a good attitude. I am pleasantly surprised that I can say God has made a difference, however slight...for instance: I got a call from cindy, a lady who goes to church with me, a few sundays ago about 1:30. She asked what I was doing and if I was going to come by and get her and Shot for church. Then she mentioned she had just gotten up and was hungry. When I asked if she had any food (she lives with many people in the same situation and often they don't have much if any food), she replied no, so I talked with someone I thought could hook her up as I was not in the vicinity. When there was no one, I packed up (only slightly begrudgingly) and headed that way to pick up some food and drop it off. At one point on the drive, it occurred to me to complain a second to God, but then I guess the Spirit convicted me and I realized that if they are hungry, they need to be fed...bottom line. How are the other needs met if someone is hungry? So,I have tried to work on my attitude and allow the Lord to sift me - I look forward to the day when the thought of "do I really need to do this" doesn't even enter my thoughts...that will show the Lord has done a work in me!
Thank you guys for commenting!! Very thought provoking. Brittany, I like what you're saying. It's made me sit here and think for awhile. I was trying to figure out, 1-is giving and serving about what the receiver wants or gains from what's given, or 2-is it about what the giver wants or gains from doing it? I guess I'm thinking in an either/or and really it's a both/and. May not make sense, but anyway, thanks for making me think!
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