Have you ever given something to someone and then regretted it when you realized how much you wanted it at a particular moment? That's how I felt the night of the 7th. While sleeping on the floor of the bus with aircon, using my purse as a pillow, I was beginning to get cold and I couldn't find my fleece. I was so cold that I was starting to shiver so I got up and sat next to Ann on the bus. It was at that moment that I remembered I had given Lilian (read about it here) my airplane blanket and pillow and no longer have those comforts
At that point I started praying for Lilian. It's kind of like fasting, when you get hunger pains and remember why you're fasting then you turn to God in prayer and remembrance. I started praying for Lilian and thanking God for the opportunity to meet her, for giving her the blanket&pillow and just for her well-being. I took the opportunity to choose God, to choose into his joy instead of focusing on myself and my situation.
I realized that it's easy to give out of our excess but it's so much more powerful to give out of those things that cannot easily be replaced. Those things that we deem necessities, that when we give make us lack. My blanket and pillow was something that I pegged as necessary.
I was taken to Luke 21, the story of the Widow's offering who gave her last 2 coins and truly understood just how beautiful that was and how much closer it brings us to God because we have to rely on him more and more as provider. It doesn't matter what we give him, or what we give away for him, what matters is my heart in the situation. For me, giving Lilian my blanket & pillow was like offering my last 2 coins in the way of comfort and non-necessities.
Are you taking your things for granted? What is God calling you to give, not out of your excess, but out of your lack? Is there something he wants you to get rid of, give away, sell, that you cherish? Let him lead you and it'll be a beautiful ride!
