Giving

  Have you thought about what it is that you give? We all give, every day, but the question is our 'what'. Are you the builder upper giver? Perhaps you dispense love or maybe it's hope. Maybe you are an encourager, strengthening those who may be attempting something entirely new to them and they are hesitant, unsure. Perhaps you are the tearer downer giver. You dispense words of discouragement or of defeat even before the other person ever begins. Maybe you simply project a critical spirit.


  Those two examples are extreme types on either end of a continuum and most of us fall somewhere in between. But do you see your typical giving style? Some people display their giving with words, some with a look, some with deafening silence; but whether requested or not, however we express we all do respond. But what message do we want to project? How do we want the other person to feel? Taking this thought a step further, combine giving with thanks and you have a potent force.


  Thanksgiving is important, a time for us to reflect and remember all the blessings we have received. What does 'thankful' mean for/to you? Is it a phrase tossed out, a kind of 'gee thanks' or is it more? Unfortunately, thanks, thanksgiving, thankful are words that everyone 'knows' - but do we? Do you take the time to acknowledge your thankfulness when it happens or do you save up your thanking for once a year? Silly question? Not necessarily. In my world of definitions thankful is the attitude and the other two words are the actions that identify the attitude. I tend to think that most of us don’t do a very good job of expressing... in a timely fashion. Thankfulness is as much a lifestyle as it is a mindset. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)  Some people know how to be grateful; some know that the expression is based in their beliefs and attitudes.

  Giving and Thanksgiving are attitudes, behaviors-expressions, mindsets and they are cultivated. Many times the thankful feeling is unexpected and you simply have to share - the awareness of what has occurred is occasion for expression. Whatever the situation, the fact remains that thanks, thanksgiving, thankfulness has to be expressed. And often in the sharing, this becomes cause for others' rejoicing with and for you. It has a ripple effect.