Blessings are abundant. Are you giving as much as you are getting?
It’s the time of year where we stop and give thanks for all the blessings and abundance in our lives. We should really stop and count our blessings, often. It’s not about money. You give of what you have to share, time, a meal, a ride to work, clothes, or money. God blesses us, we are able to bless others. (and others are able to bless us)
One of the very first silent retreats I attended was all about blessings. We were asked to bring a cup and we prayed with it during the weekend. It was pointed out to us that it’s a small cup in comparison of the love of God and the blessings He showers upon us. When we share our blessings, the cup gets filled up again. (Are you a half empty or half full kind of person?)
In my second year of teaching here there was a new teacher, a few years older than me. We went out to lunch a few times and she didn’t allow me to pay because she made more money than me. I appreciated the gesture and a few years later, I was able to give to some friends in a similar way. For Christmas that year, I gave them a few “freezer meals”. Ready made, with instructions and everything they needed for a the meal.
There is a local organization that has a fundraising banquet each year. Some years I am able to give more than others. When I went through a job transition, I had less money to give, so I decided to become a table post and invite people to give, and they do. New people have been introduced to this ministry and are able to give what they have. What a nice circle.
“When I have less, I give more.” This was part of a conversation I had with a business owner I know. I really hadn’t thought about it that way before. She understands that what we give out comes back to us. Right now might be a little hard, but the blessings are coming. How do we know? Because when we bless others, we become open to receiving the goodness.
Everyone has something to give. No matter what is happening in your life, there is someone less fortunate than you whom you can help. If you feel like you could use a blessing, share what you have and see how abundantly it comes back to you.
What would happen if we helped someone and filled up their cup of blessings a bit? I would wager that your cup would not be less full, it would be more full, with more to give. Not just around Thanksgiving or Christmas but every day. Let’s give it a try, will you join me?
