What's this old dump truck have to do with this latest blog post? My last blog post was about slowing
down in life and taking time to enjoy the little things. I think that is a very
healthy and even fun thing to do for your life. This post is also about having
fun. It’s also about giving. Stay with me on this because it’s very important. Let
tell you a little story first.
My father was a bit older when I was
born, he was 51 years old. His health was deteriorating when he was about 60, so he took an
earlier retirement and was able to go on disability. I found out later
that one of the main reasons he quit was to be able to spend more time with me.
I was about 10 years old at the time. I am so thankful he did that. He knew
that quitting his job meant sacrificing things and pinching some pennies but he
was willing to do it.
One day an acquaintance approached my
father. This man had numerous problems and mental issues and always seemed to
be struggling to make ends meet. He needed cash for new tires for his dump
truck. It was a piece of junk too. Old and rundown. My father gave him the money for tires.
"Dad, that guy has got problems,
why did you give him money?'' I asked, knowing things were tight for us.
“He needs it,” my father said. “When
someone asks for help, it’s not for us to judge. That’s for someone else. We
should help as many people as we can, as often as we can.”
I didn’t fully understand it at the
time – we really did need that money! But I get it now. My dad understood
something very deep.
Giving is like having fun, in that
it’s an inelastic part of living well and feeling good about yourself.
You can’t
wait until you have “enough” money (or other things) to start giving to others.
In fact, when you’re feeling strapped
might be the most important time to remember why giving is good for you.
There are lots of good reasons to
give. Love is giving. God is a giver. Aside from often being “the right thing to do,”
giving is healthy for us, it makes us feel good about ourselves, which helps us
become our best selves. Giving is like eating and sleeping. It’s not something
we should do when we can. It’s something we must do.
Think about everything you receive
from others in one day. That might give you an idea of how necessary giving is
in one form or another. Now think about what you can give back. Granted, it
might not be “much,” but you have something you can give.
Whether it’s your
time, or your ear, or food, or money, or whatever, give something to somebody
in need when you’re done reading this post. It may not be tires for an old dump truck but there will always be opportunities. Make giving a consistent part of your lifestyle, and have fun doing it!
5 comments:
What a passionate and moving post I believe to make a heart like mine to accept some changes. Thank you
What a passionate and moving post I believe to make a heart like mine to accept some changes. Thank you
What a passionate and moving post I believe to make a heart like mine to accept some changes. Thank you
Excellent. An article on the health aspects of giving would do well in a number of arenas. You give a great deal through your essays and your one-liners. Gratefully,
Diane
Truly a God character explanation that will lead to fulfillment and joy. It is hard for Americans to understand the inner truths of giving, of which living up to I run so short. Thank you well done.
Mike Lacer
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