11 hours in a packed car…good times!
I know that title filled many of you with dread, but for once, I’m not being sarcastic! The day started with a roadtrip back from Florida with four teenage girls and Rob driving and it really is a “good time”. How often do we have complete and dedicated time with our kids where they, or you, are not pulled in fifteen different directions? Their friends have become adopted kids and the memories created in a few short days will last a lifetime. On this car trip, the topic of giving came up in an audiobook. It could not have been a more fitting description for this vacation. Since I started a new role, a planned trip to see one of the girls’ favorite artist in concert was turned upside down. Since I could no longer attend, the girls wanted my best friend Lori to go with them. She was “so happy” to be voted as the stand in and it was a non negotiable. She packed up with the girls and one of their mom’s and traveled over four hours to stay in a hotel with a group of girls and watch a concert with screaming teens. How is that for an example of giving? What did she get in return-the joy in knowing that all the girls think she is the absolute coolest and will likely invite her to the next concert!
God reminds us that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35, NIV). In the audiobook today, we heard that if you give and the person who receives the gift receives value, why do you seek an additional benefit? Your gift is in the act of giving itself. Are you motivated to give with a focus on what you will receive in return or do you take joy in the act of giving?
On this trip, we invited two additional girls to join us for our road trip to Florida. There was no expectation of the future or in receiving anything in return, it was simply an invitation to come be a part of our family vacation. Our joy came in the giving and in the shared moments and laughter that we could hear throughout the late night pool parties.
How amazing would life be if we focused on the giving instead of what we were not receiving? Imagine if everyday, you intentionally focused on giving to at least one person you encounter? What if you saw the homeless individual on the street corner and gave them enough money for lunch not worrying about what they will do with the cash or waiting for a word of thanks-you just took joy in the act of giving itself. Imagine if you just gave a thoughtful compliment to someone at work not waiting to hear the same feedback on the outfit you took such meticulous time to put together, but just took joy in the act of giving a compliment. Imagine if when you walked through the doors of your home after a hectic day, you just hugged your spouse and children and said that you loved them and thanked them for being who they are without waiting for them to tell you how important you are, but just took joy in the act of leading in love? There is no disappointment when you find the joy in the act of giving instead of waiting for the return.
Today, I pray that you find joy in the act of giving. I pray that you take intentional moments to give to others and witness for yourself how it brings joy to your day to do for others without expectations of the return.
I pray these words speak to you. Help spread God’s word and share with a friend. Subscribe to not miss a blog post!
