[gigya src=”https://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/audioboom_default_player_v1.swf” style=”background-color:transparent; display:block; max-width: 700px;” flashvars=”image_option=small&imgURL=&link_color=%2358d1eb&mp3Author=mitzineely&mp3Duration=144730.0&mp3LinkURL=https%3A%2F%2Faudioboom.com%2Fboos%2F3569960-pay-it-forward&mp3Time=08.32pm+13+Sep+2015&mp3Title=Pay+it+Forward&mp3URL=https%3A%2F%2Faudioboom.com%2Fboos%2F3569960-pay-it-forward.mp3%3Fsource%3Dwordpress&player_theme=light&rootID=boo_player_1&show_title=true&waveimgURL=https%3A%2F%2Fd15mj6e6qmt1na.cloudfront.net%2Fi%2Fw%2F3322088″ width=”100%” height=”150″ allowFullScreen=”true” wmode=”transparent”]
Listen to iPhone or iPad here.
Have you ever felt guilty for feeling so blessed when others around you seem to need so much?
I was listening to a daily devotional a few mornings ago when this topic was brought up. It got me to thinking how I share my blessings with others and is it often enough? In other words how can I do a better job of bringing happiness to those around me? How can I do a better job of ‘paying my blessings forward?’
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
The options are endless and adding a little bit of creativity to the mix would provide others with encouragement, a sense of feeling needed and cared for. And what we do for others should never be about money. Our actions reflect our hearts.
Sure we could pay for the person’s coffee, tea or meal behind us in line. Or we could give them a an evening of childcare when they need a break or give them a book we’ve read and ask them to share it with others. We could share the ‘perfectly’ good clothes we are tired of or no longer want and provide them with a ‘new’ outfit to wear. It could be a note of encouragement with a specific example of how they impact our life.
Whatever ‘gift’ of service you provide to others while expecting nothing in return finds true favor in God’s eyes.
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4
Some of our favorite people in the Bible did the same for others. When Jesus visited Mary and Martha, it was Mary who used very expensive perfume to wash Jesus’ feet. She loved her Lord and made it a practice to sit at His feet and learn from Him. Doing for others is also reflected in Ruth’s devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi. Why did she do this? Because they needed each other. It was a true commitment to helping one another –a story of survival, loyalty, love and dedication.
The point here is to share what you have with those around you. Make great use of what you’ve been given and blessed with. And do for others with a spirit of thankfulness and gratefulness. Your blessings will be ten-fold.
I’ll be praying for you this week as you think about how to ‘pay it forward.’
Mitzi
Leave a Reply