Giving.

27 Dec Giving.

This is one great season for giving and sharing, even though it should actually be a lifestyle but seasons like this give it a whole new outlook and more opportunities.
Giving and/or sharing can be exciting… sometimes.  Some other times it can be very hard, painful or even annoying. Especially if it is something you really love or need. Have you ever cried over something you knew you had to give but didn’t want to? You haven’t? Well I have.
Some few years ago my husband and I went on a tour to Israel, there he bought me this limited edition of Donna Karen (DKNY) wrist watch. I was in love with it to say the least, I loved wrist watches, and I still do.

The Prompting.
Back home few weeks later, three friends and I went for a conference. One of my friends fell in love with the speaker because she spoke truths that affected her in a profound way. She felt like giving her a gift, and the only valuable thing she had on her was her wrist watch, so off her wrist it went and into the speaker’s hands.
That left a very not comfortable consequence for me. Because immediately I was prompted to give my friend the watch I had on my wrist, guess which watch I had on, my DKNY of course.

Delayed Obedience.
I am a very good girl, very loving and giving, after all she is my friend isn’t she? Wrong! I refused, I did not, we got into the car and started making our way home. I smiled and laughed as we chatted happily home. But my stomach was churning in discomfort since the prompting in my heart to release that watch did not stop, it got stronger and stronger. Still I didn’t give it. My DKNY, rare and beautiful, never seen on anyone else then or now? I refused to tell my husband of the struggle on my inside…
I think several days later, about eight, came and went, when in tears I walked up to my friend and gave her the watch, I sobbed heavily as I put it in her hand and walked away immediately. I was afraid I might reach out and snatch it back out of her hand. I had to ask for mercy because I know God always likes prompt obedience.

Sweet Relief.
The result of doing the right thing is always fulfilling. I felt peace; I had been facing serious torment in my heart because I refused to give out what I had. I not only felt peace, I was also joyous, of course my flesh cried out but my heart knew better.  I was really glad I finally yielded. Plus, I got gifts of several wrist watches afterwards. Happy ending to a not very happy beginning ay?

Another story.
I got a new phone in December of the previous year and decided to give out the one I had before. I was not talked into it at all, I just did it. But there was a pouch, a beautiful leather pouch that came with it but I wanted to use it for the new phone, wasn’t going to give that one.
You know what? I lost it, it fell off my laps in a gas station far away from home and I didn’t remember until I got home. 

So now, I don’t have it and the person I should have given it to doesn’t have it. Not a happy ending at all.

What’s the point? It is very good to give; it is in fact more blessed to give than to receive. If you make yourself a channel of blessing to others, then you will never lack blessings. Ask the water pipe that constantly supplies water: it will tell you it never runs dry.

Here are some truths about giving:

…It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35b

They who sow in tears shall reap in joy. Psalm 126:5

But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  2 Corinthians 9:6

Give and it shall be given unto you good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom…Luke 6:38

Now, let’s start giving and sharing, or giving and sharing some more, that’s what love is about. That’s what Christmas encourages. Give your time, your smile, your gifts, your resources, your listening ear, you just might be that miracle to that someone.

Copyright© Teshuva 2014
Update from 2012

Photo Credit: nfumc