Simple Acts

I've just started reading an excellent non-fiction book.  Usually I start non-fiction and just end up skimming through it unless it's a personal Bible Study or devotional.  But this book is powerful!!  (check it out...it's listed on my side bar.).  The title is "One Simple Act:  Discovering the Power of Generosity".

It's easy to write about being generous.

It's easy to BE generous this time of year what with Christmas.

BUT...what about simple acts that you know God is nudging you to perform and yet your mind says "no way"? Or what about if it's a different time of the year?  

What does one do??

I have been prompted by the Lord while in morning devotions, to do something for someone who is not a close friend.  She is an acquaintance and even in that, a pretty distant one.  Distant meaning emotionally.

Yet...I am hearing from God.  On this I have no doubt.

And in beginning this book, I find it interesting that the Lord is using bits and pieces of it to mold my heart in a different way towards this person.

To extend an "olive branch"  type of greeting/gift.

At first I was denying this was God.  I mean, WHAT??  Give to someone that I'm not close to?  The person is not financially needy, at least I don't believe that to be the case.

I just know that although I am only in the 3rd chapter of this book, I am being convicted more than ever to just "let go, and let God".  

Here are some of the nuggets of truth that are speaking to my heart and confirming this prompting of the Lord:(all phrases in quotes are from the author, Debbie Macomber, c.2009; words in green are Scripture)

• "Practicing an attitude of gratitude spills over to acts of generosity."

I am learning, through this book, but actually, even before that, since about last summer, to be thankful in all things. Even the "bad stuff".  The author addresses this concept in a way that shows us that we need to practice the truths found in the Bible, like the one from I Thessalonians 5:18 that says "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  And in practicing the act of gratitude...true thanksgiving, I am finding that I am much more likely to be generous.  Not just with gifts/money donations, but with time, words of encouragement, etc.  This is something I have wanted to model for my daughters.  I haven't always done a great job with this.....!! I definitely have been known to complain about things rather than find the blessings.

• "The act of encouragement begins in seeing people as God sees them, for all they can be, for who they are becoming."

• "Sometimes all is takes is one simple act of believing in someone to unlock his or her potential."

And.....these thoughts:  the act of forgiveness is one of the costliest gifts we can give.  If we are not generous with forgiveness, all our resources will "atrophy, shrivel, and eventually dry up." There are REAMS of benefits if true, heartfelt forgiveness is extended.  And forgiving of self is just as important as forgiving others.  Some people say they forgive yet really don't fully embrace that concept.  They say the words but never put it before God.  They don't move forward by getting to the root of the problem that occurred to break the relationship to begin with!  Here are some benefits to full forgiveness:

• more life satisfaction
• lower blood pressure!
• less depression
• lower levels of pain such as if the person has chronic back pain it tends to be lower in intensity when forgiveness reigns
• fewer psychological problems such as deep rooted anger/depression/low self-esteem
• lowers stress
• leads to greater spiritual well-being
• healthier relationships

Let's remember what Martin Luther King, Jr taught: forgiving is more than an emotional response.  He said "We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive.  He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.  There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us.  When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies."  Forgiveness is a discipline!!

Now, based on all the counseling training I've received, I know that forgiving doesn't mean you have to totally embrace the wrong doer. This is most true for a person like a sexual abuser/rapist, murderer....basically unsafe people.  Obviously, after suffering from a horrible crime, forgiveness needs to be extended but it doesn't mean you are going to have a relationship with the perpetrator!  

I like to share this story:  I had a friend once that I grew up with. She lied about something and I caught her in the lie via another friend!  I felt like she betrayed our friendship.  Yet...I had to choose to forgive her because I genuinely liked her. Now, R and I are good friends again, although we don't live near each other.  When we talk on the phone, it is like nothing ever happened.  Forgiveness was extended and the relationship was repaired.  She asked my forgiveness and I knew I needed to extend it fully in order for restoration to be met.  Was it easy? No.  It is a choice.

There are so many more nuggets of wisdom in this book.....I'll share more after the holidays!  Meanwhile......

A simple act.

I have to follow what God is leading me to do.  The gift might be accepted.  It might be rejected.  It won't matter.  What will matter is that I am going to do what God wants me to do.......and trust that it will work according to His plan.

He performs simple acts every day.  Do we know how to look for them?

My prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument for peace and unity in Your body.  Allow me to see past the busy-ness of the season and to bring into the new calender year, a renewed sense of purpose in extending gratitude to You and in generosity towards others.  Simple acts is what I long for, Father God. May the receiver of the simple gift I bring, receive it in love. Take my hands, feet, mind, body, and soul...and help me perform simple acts of generosity all the while keeping my attitude with gratitude. Amen.