We each have a gift to bring more life and goodness into the world. And, to be sure, offering ourselves is often costly and requires much sacrifice. But still we’re called to be a cheerful giver and offer our gift freely.
Some people are good with their hands, while others are able to cast a compelling vision. Still others are a constant source of encouragement and joy, while a few are equipped to walk with us through the deep waters of the soul and the hard realities of life.
Whatever the case, we each have a gift – holding a piece of the puzzle to serve others well in the work of redemption.
And while our gift might come easy to us, it still comes at a cost. And we might wonder if we’re being taken advantage of. Why are we always looked to do certain things?
In time, this can lead to resentment and giving begrudgingly.
It’s important to remember our gift is to remain a free expression of love. And if bitterness is the fruit of our giving it is not coming from a source of love.
To give freely means we must also have the freedom not to give. And some days the best gift we can give is the gift of No.
Embracing this freedom allows us to also give cheerfully.
We give because we want to give – bringing delight to others with no strings attached.
It still requires a sacrifice of our time, energy, and resources. But the cheer in giving warms our hearts as much as those we bless.
Maturity is not just about what we give but also how we give. And learning to give cheerfully is part of how we grow in our practice of love.
Whatever your gift, give it freely and cheerfully – blessing those around you and yourself as well.
Photo by Andrew Moca on Unsplash
