Grow a Giving Heart

Books have always been so important to me that I cannot imagine what life would have been without out them.  I must confess I am one of those individuals who just wants to know....anything and everything I can. For much of my life, books and periodicals and encyclopedias, have all helped me to feed that quest for knowledge.  My friends will tell you my mind is stuffed with all manner of bizarre trivia.....because I actually enjoyed reading encyclopedias and dictionaries as I was growing up! I know! Crazy right? And when I wasn't reading the articles in National Geographic, I was reveling in the amazing photography and dreaming of those faraway places.

I share all this because it wasn't until our school Book Fair that I came fully to the realization not all children have access to books the way I did.  And it saddens me. The little ones I work with may not have been exposed to books or reading until they began kindergarten....for some, there is barely money for groceries much less books.  The looks on their faces when they were able to pick out a book of their own are indescribable. Do you know most of them carry "their" book with them everyday? That is how precious reading, learning, growing have become to them.

For the past week I have been toying with a plan and I want to share it with you. When the school year ends at the end of May, I would like to send each of my ten tutoring students home with  a tote bag of books to have as their very own.....books of all kinds.....Little Golden books....picture books...story books.....anything that can be used as a doorway to imagining. Now I have no idea how I can accomplish this and am definitely open for suggestions but I believe it can be done.

The first thing I will do is pray....because if there is a way, God will help me find it! Then I'm going to count the change in my piggy bank....yes, I still have a pig shaped bank....and with that money I will shop the Ten Cent book sale at the Public Library....I'll go to yard sales....and I'll look for "gently handled" used books.

And I would ask, if you are a praying person, add your prayers to mine. Doing something for another without any expectations is a great way to grow a giving heart. I'll keep you posted! 

Love One Another Every Day

Today was a not so good day physically speaking.....everything ached....even my eyelashes! My muscles ached with a deep throbbing pain....all my muscles. And yet......

I was swept by a need to tell people in my life how I felt about them....this actually began several weeks ago.  Some days it is impossible to control it.....so I find myself telling people how much they mean to me.....

Of course, I tell my children "I love you" every time I see them.....but sometimes it doesn't seem enough.  The feelings I have for each of them surpasses mere words and the need to express and explain to each of them overwhelms me.  I hope that they know...without words....the utter joy they've brought to my life and how their very existence completes me. And as I answered when my daughter asked me, "who do you love the best?" I love Michael best because he is my first born, I love you [Melissa] best because you are my only daughter, and I love Lewie the best because he is the youngest. They each hold a very special place in my heart....and always will.

It is my belief that the way things are in the world today we should all make a concerted effort to let
those we love and care about know it in any and every way......and people we admire and respect should know that as well. The only moment we are guaranteed is the one we are living.....make it count in some one's life.

Sacrificial Sharing

It is early morning and it is reasonably quiet for the apartment complex.....car doors slamming as people rush off to work....the tinkling of the wind chimes on my porch lets me know there is a slight breeze. As I wait for the pain meds to kick in, I am reminded of how blessed I am.  For now, I have a place to live, food in the pantry, clothes in my closet and a job......most importantly, I have God's promise to fulfill my needs and the knowledge that He is with me always.

This verse captured my thoughts this morning:

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13: 16

At first I thought, "I always try to do good so that part's easy."  Then I looked at the second part, "share what you have," and that gave me pause.  Not because I am unwilling to share but, thinking monetarily, I don't have much.  What does this mean in my life situation? Because I am trying very hard to follow as God leads...and this verse says share what I have.  So what do I have...what do we each have that can be shared.?

Smiles are easy to share with people we know....the sacrifice comes through sharing a smile with those you don't know who may respond with a sneer or not at all.  Kind words shared with pleasant individuals brings joy to all involved.......share kind words with a surly clerk, or a rude attendant or the dirty homeless man crouched in the corner.....your sacrifice is in doing the difficult your reward comes from the knowledge that "such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

The truth is we all have so much to share....sometimes it isn't easy or pleasant.....but the rewards, whenever they come, will be great. My prayer will be that my eyes and my heart will be open to opportunities for sharing.....and that I will find joy in doing what God has led me to do.....no matter how far out of my comfort zone it may take me. 

I ask that those who read these words join me in this.....and let me know what joy follows.