There are endless opportunities to be giving
“He (the benevolent person) scatters abroad; he gives to the poor; his deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence go on and endure forever!”
— 2 Corinthians 9:9 (AMP)
It was a blazing hot day. As my friend drove along, she noticed the workers doing construction on her road, wiping beads of sweat from their foreheads and wearing T-shirts drenched with perspiration. Her heart was burdened as she watched them struggle against the hot sun to complete their tasks.
Upon entering her home, she flung open the refrigerator door, grabbed some bottles of water and hurried back to the worksite. When she stopped the car and carried these cold drinks to the workers, their faces beamed with relief that someone was kind enough to bring them a refreshing drink. As she drove away, she was overcome by the good feeling that she helped someone in need.
I love to think of the many ways there are to impart a kind gesture. We all need them. They help nurture our souls and keep us moving forward.
The Bible informs us that God will always remember our acts of kindness and love. However, fear that we are being taken advantage of or that we don’t have enough to give can keep us from putting forth acts of kindness. That’s why they must be done with the attitude in our heart to bless another.
Giving doesn’t always have to be monetary. Giving a small thank you note to let someone know you appreciate them being there for you can bring a smile to their face, as well as ours. Giving a sincere compliment shows we can humble ourselves to give to another. Helping someone with some housecleaning or running an errand is another way to give. Allowing someone to go ahead of us in line or opening the door for another person is a way of making someone more important than ourselves. Planting flowers outside our home can bring a smile to the face of passersby and a delight to our heart.
The acts can be simple things, such as fixing someone a cup of coffee or giving a smile to another. Being gentle spirited and encouraging with the cashier who messed up our bill, or giving an unexpected gift to a friend or co-worker is also a benevolent act.
With the use of our imaginations and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the opportunities to be giving to someone are endless. Think what might happen if, whenever we had the chance, we took the time to stop along life’s path to sow seeds of giving.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com.