In a world full of murder, human trafficking, terrorism, bombings, shootings, pain…
…it’s supremely surprising when people are kind.
What I have come to find during this short lifetime of mine is that people these days are so kind, so generous, so loving, so supportive. This journey of fundraising and telling people about the World Race has been shocking, and in the BEST WAY POSSIBLE.
I have been shocked at the amount of SUPPORT
from friends and strangers alike.
from believers and nonbelievers alike. (How cool, eh?)
from kind words to the generous, sacrificial giving of money.
I’ve been a blurry-eyed mess of myself since I received the first kind word from someone supporting this adventure. Your words have meant more to me than my heart dares to admit. See not only does it show your kindness, but it shows your LOVE. That you would love me enough to support this decision, and to support the mission is enough to do me in. To magnanimously hand over your hard-earned money is humbling. I do not deserve to be so blessed, but I am honored to partner in this mission with you. It has been overwhelming. My cup overflows with gratitude.
But I don’t think gratitude is a big enough word. How do I explain how thankful, appreciative, and truly HONORED I am by your life of grace? YOUR life of joy and love has impacted mine so massively that I fail to comprehend what God will continue to do with us all throughout this journey. I cannot wait.
And isn’t that what it’s all about? To have our lives so wonderfully wrapped up in the love and grace of God, that we can’t help but tidal wave that same joy onto others? That’s what you’ve been for me: a tidal wave of love.
I’m refreshed and washed new from God’s lavish grace raining down on me.
There are no more fears, no more anxieties. All because you were used as a tool to pull me through.
In church yesterday we just discussed the benefits of living a generous life, and I would like to share them with you:
1. The favor of God (Psalm 112:5 “Good will come to him who is generous…”)
2. Real prosperity (Proverbs 11:25 “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others himself will be refreshed”)
3. A legacy of impact (Psalm 37:25-26 “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed”)
4. Impact with honor (1 Samuel 2:30 “…Those who honor me I will honor…”)
5. Treasures in heaven (1 Timothy 6:18-19 “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life”)
What promises! I pray that your life is blessed because you have been such a beautiful blessing to me. You have reflected Christ in your support, and it has been amazing to see.
Have you ever seen Love Actually? It’s British and about Christmas…what more could ya want? There is a quote in the opening scene of the movie:
“Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the twin towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge – they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that
love
actually
is
all
around.”
Are you having trouble seeing the love today? It’s there. HE IS THERE. He is in the person sitting next to you on the bus, he’s in the wave hello from a stranger, he’s in the phone call from your best friend, he’s in the wind making the leaves dance around you, he’s in the smell of a campfire, he’s in the hug you’ve been needing all day, he’s there. Look for him, look for the love all around.
Because he was in your words.
He was in your care.
He was in your finances.
Thank you for sharing Him with me.
People these days…I tell ya, I want to be more like them.
