I’m quite sure babysitting a youngster wasn’t on her bucket list when she was in her eighties.  Yet she took on the responsibility with grace and during those years she instilled in me things that have shaped me ever since. She gave me what she had- time and attention.  

During the Lenten season giving is encouraged.  The traditional name is almsgiving and often referred to helping the poor.  Most Americans have more than the basics necessary for survival.  So we have enough to share with those who don’t.  Hopefully, we’re giving regularly already, but perhaps we could be on the lookout to help someone on a personal level.  A friend witnessed this recently when he noticed someone slipping money unnoticed into the purse of someone who was experiencing financial and health loss.  I guess that’s the opposite of a pick-pocket.  Would you call it a give-pocket or a pack-pocket?!

Giving money is one facet of giving.  For some, throwing money at a problem such as poverty is easy.  Easier than becoming personally involved.  Giving assuages their consciences and makes them feel good about themselves.  They don’t investigate how the money is being used or what the unintended consequences might be.  Others give carefully and follow up their giving with involvement on some level.  Checking on the welfare of those they gave to, praying for them, and encouraging those who did the on-the-ground work of caring for the poor is part of their giving.  

But money isn’t the only thing that we can be generous with.  Many godly people in the past haven’t been wealthy, but they have given of themselves for the betterment of others.  The Old Testament prophets and most of the disciples of Jesus weren’t men of means, yet they changed the course of history by sharing what they knew about God.  In modern times, Mother Theresa comes to mind, as does George Mueller who by faith provided for hundreds of orphans. 

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  Peter heals a man crippled since birth in Acts 3:6

In this vein, I encourage every mother or grandmother reading this not to minimize your role.  You may not be able to afford to give lots of money to the poor, or expensive presents to your loved ones, but your time serving them, your attention and affection poured out on them, and your prayers for them are better than gifts.  Often you have the opportunity to do the same for your children’s friends who need your love.  The impact of your selfless love will radiate out from you for generations.  

Many of you are reading this faith-based blog because you had a believing grandmother and/or mother.  They gave you what they had- love and faith.  If you didn’t have the benefit of a Christian family, perhaps the person who told you about Jesus did.  There’s strong power in families passing down their faith to the next generations.

“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.”  Paul writing to a young church leader in 2 Timothy 1:5

I’m an example os someone with a believing mother and grandmother.  My father didn’t believe in God in a personal way.  That is, he would have given mental assent to the Bible, but he didn’t have true faith that he lived by.  My mother, on the other hand, held tightly to God in daily life.  Her mother, who was influential in my life, also walked with God even tho she never spoke of her faith.  Yet I saw each day her little devotional booklet of Bible verses and meditations turned to a new day and often read to myself from her big print Bible.  I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for my grandmother being willing to take care of me while my mother worked full time.  After my parents separated when I was about four, we eventually ended up living with my recently widowed grandmother for about two years until my mother got on her feet and could rent a small apartment for us.  Even then I continued to go to my grandmother’s house after school and during the summer while my mother worked.  I’m quite sure babysitting a youngster wasn’t on her bucket list when she was in her eighties.  Yet she took on the responsibility with grace and during those years she instilled in me things that have shaped me ever since.  She had a big yard with lovely flower beds.  Because she was crippled by arthritis, she needed help with the upkeep of her lawn and gardens.  I loved to help and in doing so learned to know and appreciate many kinds of flowers, and the birds that frequented her garden. I watched her work hard in spite of her limitations and so I learned to keep working in spite of obstacles.  Simple things, but because she shared her life with me, I’m the richer.  P.S.  Because of her influence, I’ve planted eight gardens in eight different houses we’ve lived in.  What could be better therapy than being in the fresh air and digging in the dirt?  And our daughters are carrying on that love of plants.

We may not think we have a lot to share.  Maybe we don’t have much money, or we don’t feel particularly talented.  But the fact is that the simple acts of sharing our day-to-day life are a gift to our family and others.  They need our attention and affection.  And in giving that, we also receive.  We bless and are blessed. 

In this season of Lent, let’s be especially generous with all we have.

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”  Proverbs 11:25