October 16
for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
2 Corinthians 8:2
From the other room I heard my daughter say to her two little boys, “Sure you can have one of Gram’s cookies!” I knew there was only one left and wondered how my grandsons would handle this. Knowing how their personalities are, I assumed what would happen.
It is typical of four year old Matthew, to give in to his older brother a lot. Not that Ryan is overbearing all the time; it seems to be Mattie’s character since he first was able to articulate what he wants to do. Whether it’s a particular toy or game, place to sit or television show, often Mattie will say, “It’s okay, you can have it Ry.” Even when it came time for flu shots, understanding that Ryan had some anxiety about it, Mattie even volunteered to go first, and proceeded without a flinch. He wanted to show Ryan that he would be okay, he told me.
The boys ran to the kitchen and I followed close by, with them unaware of me. As Ryan picked up the cookie and said, “Aw, there’s only one left Matt!” I expected him in typical fashion to split it in two and offer his brother half. Instead, he turned, handed it to Mattie and said, “Here Matt. I really don’t feel like it much, anyway.” And as he placed it in his smiling, younger brother’s hand, I saw in his eyes the truth. He gave from his want; a huge lesson in generosity for a seven year old.
I’ve learned it is easy to give from our plenty, when the resources are full and we’re not running on empty. (I have also come to understand more fully the expression about it being easier to give than to receive.) The challenge is to continue to give when the coffers are depleted, when we may get our hands dirty, when it actually may hurt a bit. For some of us who have spent a life time having to do exactly that, at some point hopefully we come to understand the gift from God that it actually is, for some of the joy in giving has been in the sacrifice. It seems to me that those who have not yet had to sacrifice much in an effort to give, in a sense have missed out on a valuable life lesson. That being said, I understand only God knows another’s heart.
Oh heavenly Father, give us a generous spirit and guide us in our discernment of that giving! Thank you for the many opportunities throughout a day to do so.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
2 Corinthians 8:2
From the other room I heard my daughter say to her two little boys, “Sure you can have one of Gram’s cookies!” I knew there was only one left and wondered how my grandsons would handle this. Knowing how their personalities are, I assumed what would happen.
It is typical of four year old Matthew, to give in to his older brother a lot. Not that Ryan is overbearing all the time; it seems to be Mattie’s character since he first was able to articulate what he wants to do. Whether it’s a particular toy or game, place to sit or television show, often Mattie will say, “It’s okay, you can have it Ry.” Even when it came time for flu shots, understanding that Ryan had some anxiety about it, Mattie even volunteered to go first, and proceeded without a flinch. He wanted to show Ryan that he would be okay, he told me.
The boys ran to the kitchen and I followed close by, with them unaware of me. As Ryan picked up the cookie and said, “Aw, there’s only one left Matt!” I expected him in typical fashion to split it in two and offer his brother half. Instead, he turned, handed it to Mattie and said, “Here Matt. I really don’t feel like it much, anyway.” And as he placed it in his smiling, younger brother’s hand, I saw in his eyes the truth. He gave from his want; a huge lesson in generosity for a seven year old.
I’ve learned it is easy to give from our plenty, when the resources are full and we’re not running on empty. (I have also come to understand more fully the expression about it being easier to give than to receive.) The challenge is to continue to give when the coffers are depleted, when we may get our hands dirty, when it actually may hurt a bit. For some of us who have spent a life time having to do exactly that, at some point hopefully we come to understand the gift from God that it actually is, for some of the joy in giving has been in the sacrifice. It seems to me that those who have not yet had to sacrifice much in an effort to give, in a sense have missed out on a valuable life lesson. That being said, I understand only God knows another’s heart.
Oh heavenly Father, give us a generous spirit and guide us in our discernment of that giving! Thank you for the many opportunities throughout a day to do so.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson