giving...

" God gives us something we can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that we can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God "  (2 Corinthians 9:11)

Mother Teresa, a lady of extraordinary yet simple grace once said, "Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you."  Mother Teresa's example, so simple, so humble, yet we see her actions as somehow beyond our capabilities - we think we have to be some kind of saint to be able to help those in need.  Well our God has blessed, equipped and empowered each of us to engage our world in a most direct and powerful way.  I have learned this lesson recently, discovering the power of humility - of helping others become successful - of not being concerned with the credit or the blame  but with the building up and encouraging of my neighbor - the person nearest me.   That kind of action is powerful, and contagious - others notice and are inspired by that kind of action.   I know, I have first hand experience this very day.  The act need not be grand or complicated or anything of the sort other than listening, understanding and helping - helping based on understanding of the needs of the other person.  When I practiced being quiet, and attentive, and seeking to understand - I have received the most powerful blessing one can receive. 

That blessing is a sense of peace and calm that I have never before known.  You may have thought I was going to describe some kind of award, or congratulations or public acclaim.  No.  The blessing I am describing is gradual and all encompassing.  Each day I find that I am less likely to get "worked up" in traffic, or impatient in long check-out lines. 

Quite the contrary, I find that I am motivated to be encouraging, to be enabling, to be helping.  I think that is what the writer is describing because when we are praising God, we are indeed wealthy in every way!  Just think about that...