Monday, October 24, 2011

she stretches her hands out to the needy.

"She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20

apples1

I've been thinking a good bit about giving lately. Not the kind of giving that's easy but the kind of giving that touches on sacrifice and inconvenience. I guess it's natural at this time of year.

You see, my husband works for a residential children's home. Eight years ago we sold our little house and moved on campus. We did lots of budget rearranging and followed his passion for heart-hurt children. We have on-call nights, people knocking on our doors at odd times and creative scheduling. My husband has had to leave at bedtime to find food for emergency admits. We give.

And I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this, but there are times when I'm resting on that. Like, ok. We're good. We've given. After eight years, it feels awful comfortable.

And most days I'm barely holding it down. My life is one of those big parachute things with the handles and my life stuffs are helium balloons that I'm trying to corral under that big, bright sheet of nylon. My life things are regularly sneaking out and I'm frantically running around trying to secure it all down and still move forward.

Can I really give more? Can I really stretch my hand out to meet people where they are? Most of the time I feel like I can't. I've got this delicate balance going on.

But then I remember how a believer gives. She is gracious; she lends--all day long (Psalm 37:25). And do you know what? She's never abandoned, left to beg for bread (Psalm 37:24).

I'm held. I've got more than enough to give and no reason to worry about it running out.

And so I've been thinking a good bit more about giving. Not writing off the inconvenient. Not thinking that I only have so much.

It might be going out of my way just to see that person who's on my heart. It might be taking five minutes to answer an email from a friend who needs some encouragement. It might be making and taking a meal to someone when time is limited and my weekly budget is tight. It might be risking the uncomfortable to reach a hurting heart.

What do you say, friends? Let's stretch our hands out.


10 comments:

  1. Ok, I'm in. Love this, sister.

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  2. Love your words today. It's a gentle reminder that if we are giving, we should keep giving until it does feel uncomfortable - that's when we are truly giving from our hearts. God will always take care of us when we give with the right heart.

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  3. My husband and I have been talking about this a lot lately. Giving in a way that makes us a bit uncomfortable - in a way that causes us to NEED God and depend on his provisions more. Great post. Thank you.

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  4. It's so easy to give out of plenty, or when it's part of your job.

    As a minister, I've found it difficult to remember that my ministry doesn't end when I leave the office or church building- thank you for this beautiful reminder to give and LOVE til it hurts!

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  5. I think where i need to give more are to those who approach me in the parking lot. I never give money because I'm afraid they may use it in a bad way. Recently a pregnant lady with another little child asked for money and I said no. It really convicted me later on. Badly. I've decided to keep a big case of water and granola barns in my car now. I may not give money, but I want to give food if they will accept it. Thanks so much for this post. It really meant a lot.

    - Sarah
    http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com/

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  6. I totally struggle with this too. Thanks for the post!!

    Kristina Gulino
    something2writeabout.wordpress.com

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  7. I am so glad that I have come across your blog! You serve the best helpings of daily inspirations exactly when I need them! Thank you for that...and keep on rocking with the inspiration :)

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  8. Great post! I've gotten so much encouragement since I've found this little corner of the internet. Keep it up!

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  9. What a lovely post! Giving abundantly has been on my heart too...thanks for your sweet words today.

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