Better to Give Than Receive

Better to Give Than Receive

Today was a near perfect day for me, pretty much like many of my days lately.  That is not to say that I don’t have body aches and pains like most everyone else.  I also have bills and other responsibilities like everyone else.  I do however, only take on responsibilities that I know I can handle with my existing resources.  I’ve worked hard all my life and planned for my early retirement.  I’ve said many times previously on this blog that my family and I are blessed, not so much because we have a life of plenty, but more because we appreciate the blessings that we do have.

My wife and I regularly (daily) count our blessings as we say our prayers (morning and night).  We give thanks for a brand new day and the opportunity to enjoy one more day with our family, and at night we pray to give thanks for all those things that are most precious to us, our children and their spouses, our grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and our friends (we even include our pets in our prayers).

I’ve never felt a need to impress anyone growing up, I did, however, feel that I needed to set a good example for my children.  Telling them what to do usually works, but showing them what to do, has a better chance of success.  I am very proud of my children, and their accomplishments.

Yesterday I was feeling like my day had gone remarkably well, and decided to treat my granddaughters to pizza, and give my wife and myself a break from the kitchen.  When I arrived at the Pizza place there was an apparent homeless person sitting on the sidewalk with his back against the building.  I had never seen homeless people in this area of town so it surprised me.  I was even more surprise when he greeted me very kindly instead of asking for anything.  His exact greeting was, “good evening, you have a nice car brother.”  I returned the greeting and continued into the store.  While waiting to be served I kept thinking about the man outside and I purposely bought an extra pizza and a bottled water.

I didn’t want to be presumptuous so I walked to my car and put the pizzas on the floor of the back seat.  Then I walked up to the man and asked him how he was doing and if he needed anything.  He could have asked for anything but instead he said he could use some candles because the place where he sleeps is pretty dark.  I walked back to the car and brought him a pizza, a bottled water, and some money so he could buy some candles.

His response was that I was very kind and generous.  He followed those comments with God Bless you and your family!  As I drove away I understood how my day had just become better than a great day. I felt wonderful inside knowing that I might have made someone’s day a little better.  The rest of the night I couldn’t stop thinking of how fortunate we are to have a roof over our heads and a warm meal whenever we get hungry.

If you get the opportunity to make someone’s day better don’t hesitate, the Lord will bless you for taking care of his children.  The Lord works through others to make his works happen.  The best is yet to come……….