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| Bestowing From Your Abundance |
By:
Eric Davis |
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Over two decades ago, someone gave me a painted tile for use in my kitchen. Hot containers of food rest on this trivet which protects the counter from burns. This little tile has survived several moves, been glued back together and lost the loop on its back for hanging, but it remains in a place of honor.
The painted tile is decorated with the last two lines from the poem “The Art of Living.” After all these years, I these words are meaningful to me as I consider the blessing of being able to share with others. I used to dread occasions when I might have to give because I was so focused on what I DIDN’T have. This changed when I began to take an inventory of my resources.
TIME
Time is limited for all of us, making it a precious gift. It takes very little in material wealth to be able to make someone else feel special. One of my boys still remembers a week from his childhood that he fell asleep hearing my used sewing machine grinding. By the end of the week, he had his own super hero outfit and cape. I had almost forgotten about it until I was recently going through a closet where I found he had saved the old mask along with a shirt I had made for him when he was a small child.
SKILLS
My grandmother used to spend several weeks each year crocheting treasures that were given to her dear ones at Christmas. She didn’t get overwhelmed, rushed or overspend, but rather made good use of the time and materials she had on hand.
USE YOUR IMAGINATION
Creativity requires me to first be grateful for what I DO have and then ask myself how I might share it. When my attitude is right, I’m then able to consider the possibilities. Sometimes you can locate used or even free objects that can be made new again with paint or other finishes. Children would thrill to have a chair with their name on it or a customized bike. Once you’ve trained yourself to spot creative opportunities, you’ll just need a little planning. What are your abilities? Can you get a small item and add to it? Are there some materials on sale in the off season that can be used later? Would someone else enjoy your surplus items? Craft items, sewing supplies and old tools are often available for the asking.
PASSING IT ON
I made it a priority to involve my children in these projects so that they would also know the joy of giving. A craft project may be too complicated for them to do alone, but they can help label, package and distribute the gifts. Often, we make items with no particular person in mind. We might spend a couple of hours baking cookies while we enjoy trying to guess who will cross our paths that we might bless.
We’ve found it to be both fun and rewarding to give unexpected gifts to people.
Oh, the poem? Here it is. I don’t know the name of the author.
THE ART OF LIVING
To touch the cup with eager lips and taste, not drain it;
To woo and tempt and count a bliss, and not attain it;
To fondle and caress a joy, yet hold it lightly;
To watch the sunset in the west without regretting;
To hail its advent in the east, the night forgetting;
To smother care in happiness, and grief in laughter;
To hold the present close, not questioning the hereafter;
To have enough to share, to know the joy of giving;
To thrill with all the sweets of life - that's living.
No Great Joy publishes a free newsletter with tips for child training and enjoying an exquisite marriage and family. But you can also read the articles on their website to receive immediate benefit. |
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