Here is a little phrase to start your week right - "Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud" (Maya Angelou) Who is not delighted by the splash of color that appears when the sun reappears after a storm, often when the clouds are still clearing from the sky? In much the same way, we can add value to life if we choose to focus on bringing joy, encouragement, hope, and love into our circle of life. So many people are turned inward, carefully looking out for #1, quick to take offense, making sure to get their ‘fair share’ of attention. In contrast, think of that person who notices others, who gives herself away, who lifts your spirit when she’s around. Like a ray of sunshine on a clouded day, isn’t she?
Last week we learned of an
amazing choice by a woman unknown to us. Ruth Gottesman, age 93, has donated $1
billion to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. The money
will be placed in an endowment to fund the education of future physicians. She
was a faculty member who had worked her entire life at the institution. She claimed she had no knowledge of the vast
wealth that her husband, Sandy, an early investor in Berkshire Hathaway, had
accumulated. When he died in 2022 at the age of 96 he left her the money. His only instruction was ‘do whatever you
think best with it.’ Her gift has the
potential to change lives in ways beyond our imagination. Yes, she is a
value-added person!
Now let me remind us - one does not have to invent a cure for cancer or give $millions to charity to add value to life. However, we will share one common trait - GENEROSITY! People who bring life and light, hope and joy, are outward focused, actively seeking ways to connect and improve the situations in which they find themselves.
Jesus teaches us this in his words in Luke’s Gospel. There we read - “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” (Luke 6:37-38, The Message) What a counter cultural way to live: giving, not getting!
Today, notice that person who
sits alone. Look at the faces of those around you and offer a smile. Speak a
word of encouragement when the opportunity arises. Leo Buscaglia said “Too
often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening
ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the
potential to turn a life around.” Those are gifts we ALL can give.
So what makes that kind of life possible?
It begins with love. Sounds trite perhaps, but it is true. Children who
are deeply loved, who grow up in homes where they feel secure, where they
experience clear boundaries of behavior, where they are taught responsibility
accompanied by affirmation, are much more likely to share of themselves than
those who are insecure.
You and I are
just ‘big kids’ in many ways, still very much in need of knowing our own value,
of experiencing an enriching love. That is NOT just for others, my friend, is
for all of us who learn of the love of our Father. John exults - "How great is the love the
Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that
is what we are!" (1 John 3:1, NIV) Christianity centers on the message of the selfless
love of our Savior. He gave Himself, joined us in our experience, and saves us
from death and destruction.
How I hope that you know the love of God, shown in Jesus. There is so much freedom found in being held in the hands of God, come what may in life.
This value-added life is a daily choice in the place where we are. Generous people do not wait until they feel that
they have enough. They give of what they have. Paul wrote of the willingness of the Christians
in Corinth, who were going through difficult times, to share out of their poverty.
"Now I want to tell you, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his
kindness has done for the churches in Macedonia. Though they have been going
through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have
overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what
they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will."
(2 Corinthians 8:1-3, NLT)
The paradox of that way of
life is that the giver actually finds himself richer for the giving!
Pray to know the love of God, then love.
Trust the provision of your Father with thanks, then share what you have.
The word from the Word comes from the Proverbs. Take the thoughts with you and be a rainbow in someone’s sky today!
"It is possible to
give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose
everything.
The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will
themselves be refreshed." (Proverbs
11:24-25, NLT)
____________
(Video of this blog at this link)
Come all you weary
Come all you thirsty
Come to the well that never
runs dry
Drink of the water
Come and thirst no more
Come all you sinners
Come find His mercy
Come to the table He will
satisfy
Taste of His goodness
Find what you're looking for
For God so loved the world
that He gave us
His one and only Son to save
us
Whoever believes in Him will
live forever
Bring all your failures
Bring your addictions
Come lay them down at the
foot of the cross
Jesus is waiting there
With open arms
For God so loved the world
that He gave us
His one and only Son to save
us
Whoever believes in Him will
live forever
The power of hell forever
defeated
Now it is well I'm walking in
freedom
For God so loved God so loved
the world
Praise God praise God
From whom all blessings flow
Praise Him praise Him
For the wonders of His love
For God so loved the world that He
gave us
His one and only Son to save
Bring all your failures
Bring your addictions
Come lay them down at the
foot of the cross
Jesus is waiting
God so loved the world
Andrew Bergthold | Ed Cash | Franni Cash | Martin Cash | Scott Cash
© 2019 Angie Feel Good Songs; Bay19; Capitol CMG Genesis; Capitol CMG Paragon; Scott Cash Publishing Designee; We The Kingdom Music
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