I gave family and friends a set of Scripture Meditation cards for Christmas this year with encouragement to place the cards in a prominent place in their homes or offices. The idea is that the highlighted Scripture would be read often, and my family would be reminded to pray the attribute over their family, neighbors and friends.
For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year. 'And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.' Deuteronomy 11:10-15 NKJV
The first attribute highlighted on the Week 1 cards is generosity. As I prayed through our verse this week, I requested help to see opportunities where I might practice generosity. I calculated tips for our pizza waiter then added a bit more. I made extra effort to compliment my staff at work, verbally recognizing their efforts, accuracy and kindness toward difficult people. With the attribute at the front of my thoughts, I intentionally sought opportunities.
...but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 1 Peter 1 :15-16 NKJV
Today, I had a list of errands and I was being efficient to check off my list. One requirement was a group of purchases from a local super store. As entered an aisle looking for the items I was needing, an older gentleman commented about the university highlighted on my sweatshirt. He asked if I had gone to that university, I responded that my children had attended the school. This began a conversation about children, families, concerts, professions, church attendance, music and ancestral heritage. He showed me pictures of his grandchildren, videos of wildlife and his church's worship service.
About twenty minutes into the conversation, my mind began to wonder. How I was going to make my exit in order to finish my list? Almost instantly I heard a voice in my ear, "be generous with your time." Ah! The Holy Spirit reminded me to practice generosity, demonstrate kindness for someone is lonely and needs someone to talk to. No longer was this encounter a distraction to my day, but a divine appointment with a man who needed a friend in Christ who would take time to share his memories. My attitude instantly changed and my thoughts turned into silent prayers for God's generous blessings and provision for this man's needs. At my submission, my posture changed from hurried to contentment. Time seemed to stand still.
You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:32 NKJV
After 45 minutes, the kind man, asked if he could take a "selfie" with me; he wanted to remember our time together. I was honored. A few minutes of my time with a stranger had resulted in a memory. My sacrifice, generosity with time, cost me nothing. All my errand were completed and my list completed, a lonely stranger was heard, but the blessing was abundantly mine. I have not stopped thinking about this man and God has not stopped reminding me that I was the one who was blessed.
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 NKJV
How can I be more generous today and everyday?
Loving ABBA Father, generous in kindness and mercy demonstrated by the sacrificial love of our Savior, Yeshuah. Open our eyes to the hurting people around us. Pour out Your Holy Spirit, the Rauch ha Kadesh, to quiet our agendas so we may demonstrate Your love to those in need for the glory of Your Name. Amen.