Give generously and be a blessing.....

Giving generously was the theme of last week’s church service at Centerpoint.  In this series Pastor Chris has been talking about how we need to “Be the Church.”  After last week’s service I decided this topic was worthy of a blog.

The message revolved around the idea that giving generously means that we give selflessly, sincere and sacrificial.  At the close of the service, because of the selfless giving of Centerpoint goers the week before, the church did a “tithe give back” on the $3000 excess received over the budgeted amount.   All the tithe back envelopes contained anything from a $10 bill to a $50 bill.   The purpose of the “tithe give back” was to go be a blessing to others.

What church passes the tithing buckets back out so that you can take money?  CENTERPOINT!  This church never ceases to amaze me!  This is a perfect example that everyone on the leadership team practices what they preach.  Their mission of being   uniquely different and passionately real is seen in their actions.

I received an envelope with $10 and Jeff did also.  We ordered a $20 pizza for lunch and gave a $10 tip.  Our other generous giving opportunity came a few days later as I was driving down Allen Ave.  I saw two young people walking and felt led to give them the other $10.  I pulled up beside of them and said “Hi, I am giving out money today and handed them the money.”  The look on their face was one of confusion and happiness. 

As I continue to ponder the idea of generous giving I think of the idea of spontaneous giving and showing random acts of kindness.  Do we do this enough?  My challenge for you today is to think about generous giving and what that means to you.  Maybe it is not financial giving but generous giving in other ways.   Mother Teresa once said, “We shall never know all the good a simple smile can do.”  So simply smiling at others is really an act of “giving.”  Smile more, give more and make the world a better place!

Memories Matter.....

Today, I thought a lot about memories and how important it is that we continue to “make memories” with those that we love.  Some of my favorite memories are those that did not revolve around a holiday or around a special event, but during times that I didn’t think about the idea of “making memories.” 

My cousin shared a picture today and it took me right back to my childhood.  A simple hickory nut floods my mind with so many memories.   We used to pick them at my aunt and uncle’s house.  We used to swing over the road on a tire swing (we couldn’t do this now).  We used to pick blackberries, walk in the woods and make mud pies.

Many times now as an adult I am more aware of the time I spend with those that are important to me.  Over the past few years I have developed some great friendships, and I have a family that is very important to me.  I purposefully try to assure that I continue to make memories so that I have those nuggets of time that I can recall many years from now.  It is often our story to tell.

I remember being a little girl and playing games with my parents.  My mom would play ghost in the graveyard with me and my sister.  She would lie on the floor and we would walk around her saying “ghost in the graveyard.”  My mom would suddenly jump up and run after us!  Most of the time making memories in my household as a child didn’t require money.  We had lots of fun and laughter without it.  Another fond memory was my dad’s “fudge making.”  Yes, still to this day my dad could be sitting in the living room and he would just raise his hand.  This meant “who wants fudge!?”  My dad’s recipe was always the best (I still can’t make it like he does).    It is the process of spending time together sharing laughter, memories and fun.

I try to make fun and laughter part of my family now.  However sometimes I get caught up in the daily “need to do’s.”  Often times we play cards, have ice cream parties (we just had one of those on Friday night), and play many board games.  I also tell stories to my children about my memories as a child.  This is something that my parents have also shared with me, their stories.

There is so much value in spending time together with those people that you care about.  My challenge to you today is to put down the dust rags, let the laundry sit and start making memories with those that you love.  Tell your friend or child a story, play a board game, take a walk in the park, or as I did today window shop with your sister. You won’t regret it!