Day 2 - Thankful to Have Something to Give

It's hard to part with what we have sometimes, whether it's time, money or possessions. But one thing this exercise is teaching me to do is to be grateful that I have time, money and possessions that I can spare for a good cause.

Each Sunday in church we take a love offering. It is an offering that is used to help those in need. I will admit that I don't always contribute because I want to hold on to that five-dollar bill in my purse. Why? No particular reason. I rarely carry cash and when I do, I want to hang on to it. Now, I'm going to look really vulnerable saying this, but tithing is an even bigger problem for me. It just seems like such a big chunk of money that can help me pay a bill or buy that new pair of shoes I've been eying. The few times this year I have tithed, it was with much trepidation. I felt like I was really going to miss that money. I'm gonna need to work on that.

And each week, my dear pastor reminds us that he isn't forcing anyone to give and he's not mandating an amount to give. Give what you can and if you don't want to, don't, but don't try to stop anyone else from giving. And if you are going to give, give with a cheerful heart. Don't do it because you feel obligated and it's just your weekly routine. He continues to remind us to be thankful that we have something to give at all--that we would prefer to be on the giving end rather than on the receiving end.

Those last few words always strike a chord with me. Um, yes, I would much rather be in a position to give than to receive. Those who are in need probably think the same thing. I am not a wealthy woman, but we really don't lack anything. Sure, there are things we want, but there really isn't anything that we need. I have the means to give a few dollars each week to the love offering without missing it and I certainly should be able to tithe.

Giving isn't always about money either. Last week, the company I work for partnered with United Way for a week of giving. Some people used their baking talents to participate in the bake sale, some pledged to donate a certain amount of money from each paycheck and some donated their time and volunteered at ReStart, an organization that provides food, shelter and other services to the homeless. Just being there and helping where help was needed was a good experience and it really makes you re-evaluate priorities.

So, it's not just about being thankful for what we have, but being thankful for what we have to give. Spread it around.