Touched by Generosity

I was touched by the kindness of strangers this week. My daughter and son-in-law are adopting his almost two-year-old daughter, and as part of that process they have moved into a bigger apartment. They are young and still finding their way in the world. They are changing their lifestyle, and need everything. On top of that, money is tight.

We have been scouring garage sales and have found some of what we need, but are down to the wire. They get their first overnight visit with this sweet little girl this week. I posted the last of the key items they needed on a couple of Facebook pages. I was overwhelmed by the kindness of people who knew nothing about me and nothing about my daughter. They just knew we had a need. They offered generously, and gave many of the items we needed for free.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this very way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. I Timothy 6:17-19

The women who gave so generously of what they have aren’t wealthy in this world, but they are rich in good deeds. They are willing to share. They understand the key to a life that is truly life. They know that the only hope that is dependable is hope in God. They have learned to hold tightly to God and loosely to things.

What they didn’t know was that they were being watched. My son-in-law is not a believer. He has no experience with church or with the family of God. All he knows about Christians are what he has seen on TV and in the media. He is learning more as he interacts in my home, and he learned a lot today. He was touched by the kindness of strangers. He witnessed the love of a community of people such as he had never seen before. He witnessed the love of the people of God.

Freely you have received; freely give.

Matthew 10:8

I am grateful for each of you who gave so generously. I am praying for you today, praying that you are blessed in both small and large ways. I am praying that you would find rest and peace, and know that the way you live your lives is a witness and a sacrifice that God will honor. Can you feel him smiling at you?

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken. Psalm 112:4-6