Miss Kate has posted this week’s five minute Friday word prompt. And honestly, this word simply isn’t resonating with me today. Putting off writing my post today, hoping that inspiration would strike. I can’t really say it has but at least I have a title to work from! Ways to be Generous.
Poem: Ways to be Generous
Ways to be generous
the question is asked
or perhaps not but
it should be.
How do we be
generous with each other?
Is it just a matter of
paying it forward?
Making sure that
we occasionally make
life easier for others
around us through the
things that we do?
Perhaps generosity stems
from more than the things
that we do, but is just more
easily seen that way.
I picture the mom
with the revolving door
of children hers and more
running in and out
feeling welcome with things to do.
I see letters written
to the folks in prison that
isn’t heralded and often
not cared about heralding
Christ and his mercy.
The quietness of sending
bulletins and messages to
students off the college
for the first time.
A friend meeting for
coffee (or tea) at a moment’s
notice just because she was
nudged by the Spirit of need.
The prayer left on
a blog post because
T’was a needful thing
more than known perhaps.
Perhaps ways to be generous
doesn’t have to be flashy
or obvious but just a
quiet, generous spending
of the hours and minutes allotted.
God Talks to Us
Psalm 112:5
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
2 Corinthians 8:12
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
I love this! One of the definitions of generosity is the freedom from small – mindedness and I feel like you’ve really captured part of that here.
oh, thank you. 🙂
There truly are so many ways each day for us to be generous. May the Lord show us each day where and how He would have us to be generous, for He is a most creative God 🙂
he is an extremely creative God, allowing us the freedom in our expressions of generosity!
Well…it looks like your brief bout of writers block has cleared up. Your poem is perfect!
it kinda worked out eh? 🙂
I’m so thankful for the quiet moments of generosity given by someone in person or online, Annette. It is the “little things” that are the “big” things.
i know, isn’t it? I love those “little things done”.
Isn’t it true..how often we can overcomplicate (or in my case, overthink) things? Generosity need not be complicated. I pray it simply becomes more and more “natural” for me. Thanks for stopping by my blog…I pray you have a good week ahead!
we do need to not overcomplicate it don’t we? Generosity can be extremely simple.
I agree, I think often our generosity is shown in quiet ways that others may not see, but God sees.
and God sees it all, completely
I think this is a great list! You reminded me of a couple things I’m putting back on my list, Thank you!
oh! I’m so glad I could help!
There are so many creative ways to be generous, and I think it flows from a grateful heart.
Visiting from FMF#29
I agree with you Kym
I think in today’s world it is so hard to be generous with our time; but you’ve listed several ways we can use pockets of time to reach out to others. I think God would be pleased with out gift of generosity in this way.
I think so too, thank you.
Annette, this is beautiful. It’s in the little things that we bless and help each other along the ordinary way of life. And I have found that these ‘little’ things, as seen by the one who gives them to me, are big blessings to me, and they often don’t realise how big it is. Thanks for the reminder to keep doing the little things. Kath, your FMF neighbour at #28 this week.
you are most welcome Kath. Let’s just keep doing those little things eh?
There was a bumper sticker, said,
‘Do unto others, man, then split!’,
and that has long stuck in my head
for I long believed in it,
but I can see there’s something wrong,
something maybe really flawed
about self-referential song
that flies right in the face of God.
We’re supposed to do the other,
as we hope that we’re done to,
treat the stranger as a brother,
and set our hearts to stick like glue
even when we cannot see
just how to love an enemy.
very true!
Reaching out with a hug, a smile, a note, nothing major is required by the word generous but we often think that way. It has often been a hangup for me that I feel it has to be big or bold or expensive. I love your take on that word.
thank you. I’ve learned the beauty of the small things.