I remember reading a story once about a farmer who won the blue ribbon for his corn each year at the county fair. A reporter was interviewing him one time and said he had heard that the farmer gave his prized seed to his neighbors every season. The reporter asked the farmer, "How can you take a chance that one of your neighbors won't win the blue ribbon when you give them your best seed corn each year?" The farmer told the reporter that if his neighbors planted inferior seed, the bees and the birds would eat from their crops and carry it over to his fields and contaminate his cornfields. The moral is; everyone has to do well if you want to do well yourself. You don't take anything away from yourself by wishing others well.
I can remember my daughter Tracey telling me, when she was quite young, that 'a giving purse is never empty.' I don't know where she learned of that wonderful piece of information, but I am sure glad she taught it to me. I am always amazed how much you can learn from your children. Just because we are the parents, it doesn't mean we automatically know everything. Our children are full of wondrous gems of wisdom, if we just listen to them.
My husband and I owned a golf course at one time. Over the years, there were several people who volunteered their time to help us. We never could have done all we did without the gift of their time. The help they gave was invaluable. The remarkable thing was they volunteered their time and help without expecting anything in return. That is true giving.
There is a story in the Bible about a woman who has very little and another person who is quite wealthy. The story goes that the pittance the woman gave is more appreciated than all the wealthy person gave. In another story, the lesson is that it will be easier for the wealthy man to get through the eye of a needle than to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I take that to mean that the more one has, the more they feel entitled and forget that it by the grace of God that we have what we have. I think what the stories illustrate is that the 'meek' are more grateful for the grace they receive. And I don't think 'meek' means timid. I think it means 'humble'. The more humble you are, the more grateful you are. As in, "The meek shall inherit the Earth."
I have always loved buying gifts for people. I would see something while I was out shopping and think this or that person would love it. I had more fun at Christmas time buying for people than opening the gifts I received. Not that I wasn't grateful, but there is something about giving that is so rewarding. There is something to the saying, "It is better to give than to receive."
So, Gommy suggests that you try giving this week. Even if it is a smile or a compliment to a perfect stranger. You'll be surprised how good you will feel about yourself too. Think of it as a gift to yourself!
