Generosity

 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19, ESV)

I never considered us to be rich. We rarely eat out, don't have cable, and if it weren't for my husbands company vehicle he can use for work only, we would be a one car family. We budget each month, and buy second hand or on sale. Then I went to Uganda last year, and again this year, and my perspective will never be the same.

I came back haunted by the knowledge that we were rich! As I would walk through our modest brick ranch, built in the 1950's, every day I would think "3 mud huts could fit in just our living area...one could fit in our moderately sized master bedroom. What does that mean for us?" And the weight of responsibility for our wealth rested heavy.

Some days it felt easier to sell what we have and move to Uganda. I don't think I would fight the call much if it came. But I knew we were here, with our "wealth" for a purpose. I pondered 1 Tim: They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. But what did that mean for us? For us it meant adoption. I'm sure next year at this time it will mean something different, but for us, right now, it meant adoption.

Generosity....what a difficult thing to learn. Often I hold one hand out to the Lord "Anything you ask us to do, anything you want us to give, we will!", while the other hand is tightly fisted "I don't want to give anything, I like my comfortable life". Ah, I often wonder if our "blessings" are actually such, when they so distract us from following God's call.

Anyway, I wanted to share a way that generosity was shown to us this week.

Soon after committing to Tavin, I received a facebook message from a woman who found us through another Reece's Rainbow adoptive families blog. She realized we live in the same city, and has been a advocate for Reece's Rainbow for the past two year. She reached out to congratulate and encourage us, and offered her help with anything we need during the adoption and fundraising process. Turns out she and her husband attend my parents church, although because it's huge, they haven't met.

They could have easily left it at that. But they didn't. Last week she reached out again, and said that she and her husband had a "small gift" they wanted to give us, and wondered if we could meet. We quickly agreed, and she invited us over for dinner, kids in tow, even though they do not have kids. We had a wonderful evening, sharing our stories and getting to know each other. At the end they gave the boys a nerf bow and arrow that they had been playing with (they were SO excited!!) and gave us an envelope. We got home and opened it to find a check for $500! A small gift? I think not! We were blown away by their generosity. They could have easily mailed it to us, but instead chose to have us in their home, and build a relationship. We look forward to spending more time with this awesome couple. So if you noticed the other day that our thermometer jumped $500, that's why!

God continually humbles us as we see others holding their hands open to Him, living lives of generosity.

Thank you to all who are supporting our journey!

Chrystal