generosi-TEA

It's December.

Christmas is just around the corner.....a great time of year to sip a cuppa generosity-TEA, sweetened with a heaping spoon of God's grace. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Allen Bible Church 12/5/2021.

• All is God's, we just give back.
• Generosity is rooted in the grace of God.
• Generous people change the world.
• Generosity is about our Spirit, not our resources.
• God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Thanks be to God for HIs inexpressible gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15)

CHOOSE generosity

During the recent snowy/cold/rainy days, I decided to offer Maurice, our mailman a cup of hot chocolate. It's easy to offer him bottled water or cokes, his favorite----but to offer something cooked in our home is going out on a limb. Folks are understandably very leery these days of accepting home-made goods.

Relational fostering precedes such acceptance.

Easy also to choose bestowing generosity on Maurice, whom I like and then blogging the results, whatever they are! He's such a friendly, nice guy; whether he accepts it or not, will not change that.

However, notice in the entry title, "generosity" is written in lowercase letters as well as throughout the entry. That's because sharing this "generous" act was similar to "touting" which is rampant on all forms of social media.

True GENEROSITY is preceded by humility, is God-directed and is usually done anonymously.
I know that.
My cup of hot chocolate is a step in building a relationship of one who is a part of my life only because of my address. Ones's generosity to another is to benefit the receiver.
For me, that requires knowing a bit more about my mailman than his truck number or mail route times for my street.

RESULTS: I'm glad I offered Maurice a warm cup of chocolate.
He did not accept it, saying his stomach couldn't tolerate chocolate.
However, his refusal was gracious with a smile that warmed my heart.
Then, he added, "you know those cokes are still my favorite."

He's right I do know that cokes are his favorites. For that reason, I will keep them on my grocery list.

And if I'm not going to be home, I can just leave his "treat" in the mailbox.

He'll know who put it there.

Regulari-TEA

And they devoted themselves to.....teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul,.....And all who believed were together...... And they were selling their possessions......and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received......with glad and generous hearts, praising God....(Acts 2:42-47, ESV)

Many aspects of regularli-TEAs beneficial to a believer's life are listed in this section of Acts 2---

• Devotion to teaching
• Devotion to fellowship
• Prayer
• Sharing with others
• Attending "temple"
• Praising God

Along with regular quiet times, I see the need in my life for regular times of interaction with other believers, as well. Times of fun and fellowship hemmed in prayer. For me the best result would be service to others. Service which leads to a soul full of awe and a grateful and generous heart which praises the Lord.

A cuppa regulari-TEA, a perfect blend of Acts 2.

"Generosi-TEA"

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. (1 John 1:9, NASB)

God is certainly a bestower of gifts to His children. A loving and generous God. 

Over the past 5 months I have been a recipient of a full measure of that generosity. For a season I was served cup upon cup of generosi-TEA through a God-given friendship. Claudia and Terry's neighbor, Julie.

Julie who brought light and hope and fun into the lives of both Claudia and me, especially during Claudia's last few months. She added "sparkle" in  the dark spots of the struggle. She was part of my tag team in Claudia's care. We laughed. Talked. Shared. Cried. She understood.
Just as the Lord generously blessed both Claudia and me through Julie, Julie also generously gave of herself. In time, relationship and care, Julie gave a much needed energy to those difficult days.

The three of us realized that the placement of each of us in one another's lives added real understanding of rule #1 in Robert Morgan's, Red Sea Rules. "Realize that God means for you to be where you are." Right where you are. Right at this time.

Now that season of relational proximity is over. The moving van arrived today.

Julie's job has her relocating to a new time zone, almost 900 miles away. The friendship and sisterhood will last, but the ease of personal connection will be more difficult. 

My heart is sad. Yet, how grateful I am for the Lord's generosi-TEA in having our paths cross "for such a time as this."

GIVE 365

8/22/13 Today's Commercial Appeal local interest story highlighted the "Give 365" philanthropy. Though the story correctly identifies most of the "philanthropists" as those in their 20s, 30s and 40s, there are also others.

I and other educators, especially retired ones with big hearts and not so deep pockets, find his a great way to provide grants for many worthwhile (and VERY CREATIVE, I might add) ideas all for the greater good of our city. The Tuesday night presentations confirmed the intent of so many of these programs. (17 finalists) Voting for my Top Five will be a hard task.

Members give $1 a day (minimum)----it seems the least I can do to give back as the child of One who continually gives  to me out of His goodness, 24/7--365 days a year and beyond.

BTW, a match from a generous philanthropist, is available for all who wish to join, regardless of age or depth of pockets. Check it out at GIVE365----Philanthropy on $1 a day seems like a great way to give back.