~ Give A Little Bit ~

“The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.”

- Albert Einstein

Many of those close to me know that if they ever needed something and I have the ability to give it to them, all they have to do is ask . Even if I don't have what they need I'll do my best to find a way to help them get it . One of my life motto's is , " It isn't worth having if it isn't worth giving away . " . I find this true of not only our material things, but our spiritual and physical as well . You may be wondering how on earth do we give away our ability to run , walk, or talk ?! Well, it's all in how you use it .

 

“Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life's blood. But everyone has something to give.” - Barbra Bush

A little over five years ago I grew convicted over my ideals on "giving" . What was it to me to give ? Did it always have to be monetary or was there something I was missing ? I've never been what I consider a very vain person . While I'm super girly , love me some make up and accessories , I've never NEEDED them in order to go out or to feel acceptable . Maybe college life and trying to make it to class on time beat out any sense of vanity I had ? I'm not sure . But it's always been something I'm grateful for  my lack of "needing" to have on make up , a cute out fit , or my hair done a certain way before I can go and enjoy time with friends, family or just be out in public . I realize that at times the public may not be as grateful for my freedom from vanity . :-) I may also have this lack of need because I've never been the girl that people ooohhh and ahhh over when she walks in a room . I'm not tall, long legged , thin , or naturally beautiful . I say none of that out of "poor me" train of thought . The only truly consistent complements I've gotten in life have been over my hair . From as early as I can remember I've always had people complementing my hair and feeling free to put their hands in it or play with it during class or church . Considering my most comfy way of wearing my hair is pulled into a top knot I guess the complements are lost on me . With that said as I debated my "giving heart" it hit me as I went to pull my out of control wild woman hair into yet another top knot . Giving is not all about money , physical things or even time , not for me at least . The things we give may not always be as valuable to us as they are to the person we're giving them too .

" I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give.

I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. " C. S. Lewis

I know from personal experience what it is like to be sick more days than not . How it can run down your physical strength as well as your mental . Sometimes something as little as chap stick after a week of being confined to your bed can make you feel like a cover model . With that understanding and sympathy I knew what I needed to give away. My hair . I began my research with Locks of Love .  I have given to their organization 2 or 3 times since . Why am I sharing all of this with you now you might wonder ?

One of my dear sisters in Christ/BFF's has a loved one going through a very difficult time battling cancer . In honor of this loved one my sister has asked several of us to consider growing our hair and donating it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths . I of course have jumped on board and am super excited to this time have a face and a name of a person to be giving in this way for . It is such a simple thing to give in this way . I want to encourage each of you as you read this to consider what ways you may be able to give that you are missing or haven't considered as a "give away" item . Not just for the cause of cancer, but in life . I find my self so blessed by all that God has provided in my life that at times it just doesn't seem right . I want to give . I want to give not just of my monetary abilities, time , or "things" , but of myself . For now this is the opportunity He has given me to give back . I know people that have rode a bike across a state in honor of a loved one who battled cancer , donated blood , white cells or marrow , and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in building homes for those that have never had a home. The ways to give are endless when we really consider them .

 

I hope this blog entry encourages and challenges the way you think of giving . I'd love to hear how you give back . Feel free to comment , FB or email me with your ideas and stories .

Deuteronomy 16:17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the

 blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

 

Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.