Generosity is a Decision

A baby no matter how precious is born with a clenched fist.  Part of the fallen nature of man, we are doomed to be selfish and think of No.#1.  When we are converted to Christ, our nature changes and the old Scrooge must go and we take on an attitude of giving.  Generosity is something we can cultivate.  Each tiny bit of giving unclenches that fist.  We give until it hurts and then it feels very very good.  Take every opportunity to share with another.  It's a decision that will change your life.

Be Generous

People love to get stuff, especially free stuff.  Americans are famous for their big cars, big houses, big food portions, big everything.  But I wonder if that is true of our hearts.  We tend to be generous with everything but ourselves.  I am putting myself on the hook too.  It is easier to be generous with a few dollars than with myself or my time.  Chapter 6 of 13 Decisions That Will Change Your Life introduces some folks you don't know but their generosity will inspire your life.

Satan's Toolbox

Everyone has a resource they pull from.  Writers read voraciously and persuade, create worlds, motivate, or make us laugh.  Carpenters use their hammers, planes, and blueprints to fashion cathedrals. 

Satan is like that.  But he isn't clever enough to use innovative methods.  Instead he digs into our conscious and subconscious minds, invades our dreams, and finds enough emotional baggage to be a guilt trip agent.

Don't fall for it.  Let your toolbox be filled with love, peace, and joy.

Are You Sorry?

"I'm sorry.  It was completely my fault.  These words are very familiar.  Most of us have repeated them  many times to our spouse, to our friends, to our teachers, and to those who are closest to us - our family.

But what about to ourselves?  Are there things in your life that you won't forgive yourself for?  Are there unspoken sins and transgressions that bring humiliation and shame?  God doesn't want us to live like that.  That's the whole purpose of redemption, freedom, and new life.  He gives us a second chance.

It's time to give yourself the grace you would give another.  Forgive yourself of any words or actions that you regret.  Make recompense if necessary and move past that part of your life.  Give serious thought to housecleaning your soul.  Everyone will profit from it especially you.

Tough Love

Forgiving someone close to me was the hardest thing I have ever done.  Of course like the Tom Hanks character in "A League of Their Own" said (in reference to baseball), "If it was easy everyone would do it."  And therein is the rub. 

In order to forgive you must bear the pain, decide to let the wound heal, vow to put it behind you, and offer love to the offender.  Not a bad recipe if you only have to see that person once or twice a year, but what about at all the family holidays, birthdays, Christmas, every other weekend, at funerals, gravesides, and all social events?  Each time takes a piece of your soul.  That is unless, "you forgive your brother from your heart" (Matthew 18:35 NIV)

And while you are dispensing grace to another, don't forget to take a heaping helping for yourself.  Forgiveness and grace combined are the antidote to bitterness and a life filled with fear.