Want A REAL Blessing?

“Happier is the one who gives rather than receives.”

Acts 20:35

I remember hearing this verse used a LOT in church when it came time for Stewardship Sunday.  I agree that we should give to the church, but I heard a sermon several years ago on Stewardship Sunday that used this verse differently.  The pastor stood up and said, “You know we need to keep the lights on and the building in good repair.  You know we have missions we support.  You know the staff likes to receive a paycheck.  So I’m not going to stand up here and tell you that the church needs your offerings.  What I am going to remind you of, is the fact that you’ll be much happier when you give of yourself.”

I thought about that for a long time.  It’s true! When I give of myself to others, then I am MUCH happier!  Some of you know that I crochet afghans as a way of relaxing.  When the afghan is finished, I give it away (the afghan “adopts” someone).  Doing this makes me happier and I want to do it again, and again, and again.  Give of yourself!  Maybe you can listen to someone who is hurting.  Perhaps you can share smiles with those you meet. Maybe you can pray for and/or with someone. Maybe you can send a note to someone.  When we give of ourselves…THAT is when happiness happens, because God notices and rewards.

The Gift

May my words and my thoughts
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my sheltering rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 

 

How many years have we spent on ourselves?  Doing what WE wanted to do because it was fun or would lead us to something better?  We like it when we enjoy what we do and when our lives are going well.

 

Did you know that OUR lives are one of God's gifts to us?  Did you also know that OUR lives are our gift to God?  What we think and what we say and what we do are our gift that we give to God every moment of every day.  

 

Now, understand, I am not saying that we should pretend to be nice to someone or that we should accept unacceptable behaviors, because that would be giving God the LIE of what we think He wants from us.  God wants us and, through Jesus, commands us that we are to love each other.  Love does not mean accept unacceptable behaviors or words; Love means you care enough about that person to go to them and try to correct the behavior or words.  Sometimes Love means keeping distance for a time so as to let wounds heal.  

 

In a few weeks, we will be celebrating the sacrifice Jesus made for us because He loves us so much, that is His gift.  What gift can we offer that will be acceptable to Him?

ME?

I heard the voice of the sovereign master say, 

“Whom will I send? Who will go on our behalf?” 

I answered, “Here I am, send me!”

Isaiah 6:8

For the longest time I was convinced that nothing I did made a difference or could do any lasting good because I was just one person. And, after all, what can one person accomplish that has any sort of positive lasting impact on society. Looking back at my own life, regardless of what it might look like or what has been said, there were a few bright moments, but for the most part let's just say I was eager to leave the party.

My Grampa was one of those bright spots in my life.  During one visit, I remember sitting on the bumper of his car (1965 Ford Galaxy 500 that I wanted SO badly), and I was just numb.  Grampa came out, lit his pipe (as was his custom) and leaned against the car. And he said, "Ain't seen a face that long since the last time the mule ate saw briers. What hog ate your snake boy?"  So I told him that no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't seem to make an impact on anyone.  Grampa's advice? "You're sleeping in the garage tonight boy!"

The next morning at 5am, Grampa came out and told me to get up because breakfast was ready.  I had never slept so little that I could remember....EVER!  On the way into the house, Grampa said: "Still think you don't make an impact on others?"  I mumbled something to the affirmative, and his response floored me like a right hook from a street fighter, "Mosquito wasn't looking to have an impact on anyone either. Mosquito just doin' what God made him to do.  But he impacted your sleep last night, eh?"  I remember looking into Grampa's face with my sleep deprived eyes and he got nose to nose with me and told me, "Ain't YOUR job to make a splash!  It's YOUR job to do what God tells you because all the water you trying to splash is His!"

And you know, I don't need a wall full of plaques and certificates to know that God uses even people as flawed as me to make a difference.  Don't believe it? Have you seen the faces of folks light up with something as small as a Tootsie Roll?  Have you seen people change when you let them know they are appreciated?  Have you heard the stomach of the homeless person stop rumbling because you gave your lunch to them?  It doesn't take a big splash to make a difference, it just takes a heart that is willing when God asks, "Who shall I send?"

And I have to put in this shameless plug.  My bride and I married in 1999.  I gave her my very first BUBBA (Butt Ugly Butt Big Afghan) that took over 2 months to make.  She thought I was weird and possibly certifiably missing a few of the more important synapses, but she accepted it graciously.  After we had been married a few months we sold gave a sofa to a lady who had come from SisterCare, my sweet bride took the BUBBA I had made for her and gave it to this lady.  I can tell you that they hugged and cried and prayed right there in our garage for almost half an hour.  All from a simple gesture of giving one ugly blanket away. AND my bride is now a HUGE part of the BUBBA Project whether she knows it or not.

Do you have an impact?  BEYOND A DOUBT!!!

Strength For Today

As soon as I pray, you answer me;
    you encourage me by giving me strength.

Psalm 138:3

I have noticed a thing or two as I now enter into my 54th year on this spinning marble.  One of the things I have noticed our reaction when things don't go the way we want, even to the point of going horribly wrong.  You see, when things go wrong, we usually take one of two stances: 
     1. We get angry and blame God for everything we think is wrong in our life, questioning His love and even existence; 
     2. We cling to Him because we understand that without Him we wouldn't have the strength to continue on.

Say what you will, but this has been by direct observation over and over and over.  And it all boils down to that "R" word which tends to terrify the timid and worry the proud.  I'm talking about RELATIONSHIP!  When the Sheriff's Department hires new folks, I am allowed time to talk with them and explain who I am and why I do what I do (drink coffee, give out Tootsie Rolls, etc.) and the main thing I tell these new hires is this: "My purpose here is to build relationships with you because, should something happen and you need to help, you aren't likely to want to talk to someone you don't know."

Hmmmmm.......How's your relationship with God?  Do ya'll talk, have a nodding acquaintance in passing, or do you ignore Him?  When (not if) your life takes an unexpected turn, wouldn't it be more comforting being able to talk with someone who you not only have a relationship with, but also is big enough to make a difference and resourceful enough to take care of you and strong enough to carry you?  

Just sayin'