Giving More *

But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.

Isaiah 32:8 NLT

I had lunch with an old friend who I hadn't seen in awhile. We tried to catch up on everything we could, talking non-stop in an extended lunch visit. It was good. My friend told me an amazing story of how their extended family had been lost from them for more than 40 years, and over the years, they had tried to find them without success - but how they were finally able to search out the cousins, the offspring of an aunt who had always been very kind and very generous. I could see love's glow remembered in my friend's eyes and I knew just how loving the woman had been. It was a wonderful story to hear and I was very excited at all the good news of it.

The cousin who was first found later went to her sibling and said, You will never guess who called me. To her shock, her brother said my friend's name without hesitation... keeping in mind, it has been 40 years. When asked how he knew, he replied that his cousin had been on his mind for a couple weeks... the same amount my friend had been searching this last time around! God has such a sweet way of answering the desires of our heart.

We talked the rest of the time about all their plans to reunite face to face - oh, it is going to be such a grand time! As we were standing in the parking lot saying goodbye, my friend said, Before we go, I want to tell you one more thing about my aunt...  And I feel compelled to share it with you now.

It turns out that the aunt and cousins were very poor when they were all growing up, but it never stopped them from giving to others. The woman's life personified generous hospitality, with the emphasis on generous. The daughter of the amazing woman told this story. Her mother used to go to the grocery store and pick up the wooden fruit crates from the trash bin in back. She would then take them home, break them down, and tie them in bundles to sell for firewood to have money to buy coal to heat their home. One Christmas, the woman worked twice as hard to get enough money - not for toys for her children - but to get enough to buy an extra load of coal. 

When the coal cart driver came, she pressed that money into his hand and said, I want you to use this to buy coal for the poorest family on your route. I can't bear to think of anyone being cold on Christmas.

The driver was overcome by emotion and tried to hand back the money, but she insisted. Finally, when he could speak, through his tears, he replied, Missus, you are my poorest family... 

Poorest by the world's standards, but richest in the eyes of God.

Today, all three of her children are very successful in their career of choice (helping others in one form or another) and able to travel to different parts of the world. God's Word has much to say about those who are generous in spirit. Don't you just love it?

Prayer:

Father,

        Thank You for orchestrating such a wonderful reunion for my friend! Such a loving and generous thing for You to do!! Lord, change our hearts and cause us to be more like You! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen