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Sunday, November 15, 2009

God Loves a cheerful Giver

2 Corinthians 9.26 He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8.  And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every work.
Isn't this beautiful?  I was thinking this morning about how all the bloggers I have met are so GIVING!  You give of yourselves, you give love and hugs, you give from your wisdom and experience and you give little surprises as give-a-ways.  You give Christian support and love, you give music from your heart.  How wonderful that we all can share a common bond, that we love giving and expect nothing in return but the smile and happiness of the receiver!
   When my husband was well and managed a campground many years ago, we used to do the "trash run" on holidays so that the young men that usually did it could be with their families.  One Christmas when we were doing this, we noted that there were about 30 campers that were going to be there during the holiday.  We always made crafts and decided to do up one little craft item with a candy cane and card and give it to each camper on Christmas Eve.  We donned Santa Hats and wore Red decorated Xmas Sweatshirts and went off with our little sack of gifts.  I had a little wind up ornament that played "Silent Night" .  I would wind the ornament, knock on the door of a camper and present them with the little ornament or whatever.  My heart pounds just thinking about it now!  It was the most fun Christmas that we ever had!  The look of joy and surprise on people's faces was so gratifying!!  One lady wrote us a letter and said that it was the only gift she received that year, that her daughter could not come to join her because of stormy weather and she was all alone.  God made no mistake when he made us compassionate to others and giving! I do not remember one gift I received that year in 1996.  I only remember the joy of giving to the others!  What a blessing!  We did this 3 yrs. in a row until the number of Christmas campers reached 100 during the holiday! It is one of the happiest memories of our lives.


5 comments:

GlorV1 said...

What a wonderful and giving thing to do. I bet they were so happy. It's always nice when one gives and doesn't expect anything in return but perhaps a smile. I smile right now when I read your post because I will be giving away little items here and there to people I know and don't. Have a great week. Great post, wonderful timing.

Vintage To Chic said...

good morning Kerri, I love your story. The little things like this are what is so wonderful. It is so sad to think of the people who are alone on the holidays,
Hugs and god bless,
Judy

The Old Parsonage said...

Oh Kerrie

So true, we are always blessed when we reach out to others.

Love your post!
Leann

Nancy said...

Kerrie, that was a wonderful heart-warming story. I am inspired by your example of giving..and how you and your husband touched other people with the love of God. I'm so glad you shared this and that I happened to stop by to be blessed by it.

Terra said...

What a lovely thing you did that Christmas at the campground, surprising people with a small gift and the music.
I can see how when the number of campers reached 100 it became too much, but that is so sweet how the lady wrote to you and said it was her only gift that year.