Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Give It Away!



She has been growing her hair for about a year and a half now to donate to Locks of Love

Locks of Love makes hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children  who suffer from medical conditions that cause hair loss including alopecia, burn trauma and cancer treatment. 

Tannah was thrilled last night when we visited our hairdresser and she realized that she had finally reached her goal length!  She was ready for the big trim and went for it.  Today the ponytail is set atop our dining room table, securely stored in a plastic Baggie and ready for the mail carrier this afternoon.  It goes with our prayers for an unknown-to-us little girl whose day will be made when she receives her custom-crafted wig.  A little girl who may have been feeling a deep sadness after losing her own hair to an illness or trauma.

And my Tannah's smile couldn't be wider.


This is how it is when we give.  When we give of our talents, our time, our resources, our treasure.  When we give of ourselves...when we give our selves.  Our very being.  

There are so many ways that the Lord presents before us each and every day to give.  We just need to respond.  To ask Him to open our eyes, our hearts and hands and keep them open.  To stay in a state of receiving from the Lord His mercies, love and kindnesses to us every day; to stay receptive to His Holy Spirit working in and through us; and then in turn, to keep our hands and hearts open to those around us.  This is community in a nutshell:  community with the Spirit of God who flows in and through us, and we then extend that same community to those around us.  All around us.  Whether we know them or not.  This is the heart of fellowship in the Lord.

I am so very glad and full of joy for my 7-year-old daughter this morning.  This project was her own undertaking, initiated in her heart by the Spirit of God a year and a half ago.  And she followed.  May we each, every single moment of every single day, follow the Spirit of God in giving.

What about you?  How will you give to the Lord today?  Don't know where to start?   Ask Him.  He always answers. 

Some giving ideas for today:

1.  Give a smile.  Everyone needs them.  Try it!  They're contagious.
2.  Give a hug.  Do you see hurt in someone's eyes?  Give them a warm hug and let them know they are loved.
3.  Give an encouraging word.  A cheerful, uplifting word can work wonders in an otherwise dreary day.
4.  Give prayer.  Offer to pray with someone.  Immediately.  On the spot.  And do it with no reservations.
5.  Give an act of service.  Honor others before yourself.  Jesus set this example for us.


"Give, and it will be given to you.  Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.  For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."  ~Luke 6:38

Enjoy today,

2 comments:

  1. I am so glad for Tannah too! She looks so happy and full of joy that her gift of love will be used for such a worthy purpose - to bring a smile to another child's face. A year and a half is a long time...but she persevered! Such a sweetheart! We love you very much Tannah!

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  2. Agreed! We love her dearly and are very grateful to God for the gift of Tannah in our family.

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