Monday, April 4, 2011

Giving in 2011!

When I was a little girl my mother would sit down at the kitchen table each month and write bills. I noticed with great interest her writing little checks to all kinds of charities - The American Lung Association, Disabled Vets, USO and the lists go on and on. The checks were usually in the amount of $2 or $3 - at the time I didn't understand why she did that but what I remember is the smile on my mother's face when she did it. Even as child I worried about money - I was one of eight children and we struggled financially. But I knew my mother was right to do this and she said God always pays us back doubly for what we give.
I had a circumstance just like that at church yesterday. I went to my usual 9:00 AM service at Kendrew Methodist Church - this is a struggling church. It has lost money the past three years and is now running on money from five years ago - scary thing. The problem is not only that attendance is down but oil is up and also the fee they pay their ruling demonination is up as well.
So I give over twice to this church each week - just because I believe they need it. [By the way, if anyone has suggestions as to how a small, struggling country church could earn money, I'd appreciate you letting me know. There must be a way to get them grounded again.]
When my ancestors first came to America during the potato famine in the 1880's they attended that old church. It would be a shame to see it close and the people there are lovely.
Anyway, am getting off the subject - then I went to the large contemporary church I attend at 11:00 AM. This church isn't hurting for money but it offers one so many wonderful opportunities to give! Yesterday I gave my usually monthly donation for missionary outreach and my usual weekly donation. Then as I was leaving I noticed the youth group was collecting for starving children throughout the world. They had people cut-outs in pink, blue and yellow and hung up one on a clothesline over their heads every time someone donated their requested amount.
Then after church when I was putting the weekly bulletin in my car a paper fell out. A lady in the church who usually runs the Vacation Bible School program was asking for donations for Disaster Care Packages. So I stopped at Walmart and bought tooth brushes, a hand towel, beanie baby like stuffed animals, little packs of tissues and so on and since I wasn't going to be there the week they collected them I mailed them to the church.
Then today when the mail came for my agency, I opened a check that was the largest royalty check for nonfiction I have ever seen in nineteen years of agenting. I can't disclose the amount but the book was titled The Harry Potter Cookbook.
I knew right away, it was just God paying me back for giving yesterday. God is so good and He loves each and everyone of us. Blessings to you today.........