When you choose to give, you will be choosing to receive. However, be careful that you don’t choose to give so you will receive. That is a mouthful and sometimes a tricky thing to master, because we understand there is a natural spiritual law at work. I ended my last blog with this verse and this is where I will start. Read for yourself and see if you don’t agree that it can be tempting to misuse. “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 If you think about it, it does sound like a great investment practice. It is not always money we receive back in full measure when we give, but nonetheless real treasure worth storing up. I recently joined a group of businessmen and women in Oklahoma City that goes by the name: Givers.   I don’t make it every week but I go as often as I can. The concept of the group is to not focus on what you can get but what you can give to bring value to the people you meet and to the group as a whole.   As a group, we also get involved in events that raise money to give to charitable organizations, because we are better together. I have really enjoyed getting to know some of the people I have met and I have made a couple of really great friends as well. When we get together with these new friends, we are encouraged not to get together with a mindset of selling each other or promoting our own businesses, but rather to find out about the other person and see what we can offer to help them meet their goals. We all want to think we naturally do this, but it really is something we have to focus on to avoid the norm of focusing on ourselves. Am I right? I admit it is HARD not to be thinking of a personal example or story I need to share to “support” what the other one is sharing. You know what I mean; you wait for the other one to take a pause so you can jump right in with what you’ve been preparing to say while they are talking. It is hard not to think that what I have to offer is the answer to their needs, though I do believe it really is. <wink>   I also find it hard to just listen sometimes and not be the one sharing my great ideas, visions and solutions.   Talk about personal growth! When you force yourself to focus on another and NOT on yourself, you LEARN and mature and you gain self-control and FRIENDS!   When you give, you will receive and more and more will be poured into your lap! Sometimes, you do receive in material things and money. Let me tell you about my garage sale last week.   It was not a big money making sale as I was focused more on cleaning out drawers and closets and getting rid of excess. I did not have furniture or big-ticket items but our neighborhood was having the annual sale and I was in need of a good cleaning out in our home. I am TRYING to think “simplify” though I am far from achieving that place in my life.   Regardless, I am tired of storing up treasures in boxes, closets, drawers and shelves. If we are not using it, or have no plans to soon, it needs to go. Among the items that went into the garage without permission to re-enter the home, besides clothing was a closet full of homeschool curriculum and educational tools.   It has been years since the material was needed and though some of it was used, much was brand new. I believed it was also desired by someone whom I was sure would be stopping by my sale in need of the very things I had stored for 5 years. Friday was a perfect day! We had a cold front come through and I was able to relax with my blanket and my dog. I had a great visit with strangers and neighbors who rummaged through my “treasures” though many did not snatch them up, much to my surprise. (kidding) A man named Jesse stopped by during the 30 minutes my husband was in the garage. I believe it was a divine appointment as it appears Greg may have a follow up one on one visit with a nice man on his journey for Truth, though he doesn’t seem to realize his need. Some friends I had not seen in awhile came by and I enjoyed reconnecting with them for a short time. My parents brought me lunch and sat in my garage with me telling stories and spending unrushed (though not uninterrupted) time with me. I enjoyed that so much as we all get busy and sometimes forget to just take a chill pill and sit and visit with those we love. I am so guilty of this! Most items went for $2 and a couple of things went for $10 but many were given away to the people who stopped by and I took pleasure in that. Then a sweet friend dropped by and bought a couple of items and then said, “I have some things in my car for YOU!” I had no idea what she had brought, but she went to her car and brought me back some gorgeous clothing pieces that had been well kept and were more valuable than any of the items I had moved to the garage.   They were my size and my style and I so appreciated the gift.   I thought about how when we give it will be given back to you and how there will be room made for more. I had cleaned out my closet of excess items that did not fit, were no longer my style and were taking up space. I had given many away to shoppers and then I was given back in full measure and the funny thing is some of it will go on my lap! Literally!!! I find that funny and amazingly wonderful at the same time.   When the garage sale was over, many items were grouped together in containers and drug to the corner by the street. A sign on the curb read: “FREE! MUST TAKE THE WHOLE BOX!” (Like I could seriously make anyone take the whole box! Haha) Clothes were bagged up to donate to the ROC (Reaching Our City) resale shop, and other things were thrown directly in the garbage. Not all trash is someone’s treasure!   The curriculum that had not sold was put together in a box with plans to donate it all to a homeschool co-op group. There was one math set that I had hoped to sell to someone who loved it and needed it and understood the value; however, it is not a program widely used. One of our neighbor children had been by earlier and recognized it to my surprise. She said she would let her mom know because she may be interested. Hours later when I had not heard from her, I thought she surely was not in need as it would cost much more to purchase new, though this set also had never been used.   Plans were now in motion that I was done collecting money and all would be given away.   Almost an hour after I had closed up shop and was relaxing inside, my doorbell rang and it was the mother of the sweet children who had stopped by.   We visited and she was excited to leave with the math program along with many other items to teach her children with.   She was in need of the very set I had stored for 5 years and she was thrilled. When I told her everything was free, she insisted on writing me a check for $50. That had been the cost of the books when I purchased them so long ago. Insistent on paying me, I gladly accepted and once again, my mind went to the truth that you cannot out give! The measure in which you give, you will receive. If you have a need, yet you fill a need, your needs will be met. We are called to give of ourselves to others and love in a way that the focus is not on ourselves for what we will get but rather what we can give. As we change our perspective and embrace this mindset, the spiritual law goes to work on our behalf and we get filled up with surprises of joy! Please share your stories of how this concept has been played out in your life. Comment below so we can all be encouraged and inspired. You see, even sharing of your heart and your life is a form of giving. You never know who needs to hear what you have to say and who needs to borrow some hope from your life. My joys from Friday were not huge lump sums of money or big gifts yet they were beautiful gifts of treasure. They are nuggets I’m storing up in Heaven! The gifts I received were relational and reminders that I have a God who is rich and he will meet all my needs! Philippians 4:19 tells me: “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. I think I am going to really enjoy this quest to live more simply and to give more time, money, resources and consideration to others.   Don’t get me wrong. I am not there yet and I have a long way to go! Considering that I was able to catch up with friends, visit with parents, enjoy a free lunch, have gorgeous clothes delivered to my home and a check written for items I would have had to search a buyer for, all because I opened my garage and decided to simplify and give, I’m thinking this pattern of living beats the patterns of this world.   How about you? Do you agree? Won’t you join the movement and choose to GIVE? It’s your choice and no matter what you think or feel…. Your choices matter! And that brings up another thought….but I CHOOSE to save it for another post. If you enjoy reading this Tues/Friday blog, please choose to join the movement by requesting my free download: 7 Steps to Live out your Choice to Forgive! You will soon receive exclusive video content delivered directly to your email as a gift to my subscribers. I would also LOVE to have your feedback below and a share to your social friends. Thank you!

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