Part of the beauty of counting our blessings is that we realize we have an abundance in our lives that we can also give to others. When we wallow in self-pity we feel like our lives are hopeless and that we don’t have anything to give. But when we take the time to count the blessings in our lives, we become aware of the surplus of our fortunes, and when we are aware of our good fortune, we can share it with others who need it. So how can you share your blessings with others in a practical way?
When Eric and I got married, I came to find out that he had been supporting a Compassion Child for several years. This year our Compassion Child turned twenty-one and we were given the option to choose a new child. The small cost we paid each month was an absolute drop in the bucket compared to what our former Compassion Child gained throughout his childhood. It may have cost us a few pizzas each month, but for him it was a fulfillment of his needs. We got a notice that he just graduated from school! ~smile~
We have elected to support a new Compassion Child; he is four and he is absolutely adorable. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to support him financially, but it’s an even bigger privilege to have the opportunity to support him through prayer and encouraging letters. If you and your sweetheart are considering marriage, if you are already engaged, or even if you are married, look at your budget and see if you can support a child through Compassion International. It will be a blessing to both your sponsored child and to you!
However, if you are not married yet, don’t sponsor a child together (i.e., each agree to pay half). If something should happen between you and you two break up, one person will be responsible for the bill and that could encourage bitterness. The alternative is to stop supporting the child which is not fair to the child.
Supporting a Compassion Child is an honor and should be done with a positive attitude and a spirit of giving. If you both want to support a Compassion Child and you know that you can afford to keep both children after you’re married, feel free to sponsor one child a piece. If you can afford to sponsor more than one child, sponsor as many children as you would like. Your investment will be well worth it! http://www.compassion.com
If you can’t afford to each sponsor a child wholly and continue that sponsorship in marriage, consider asking another family member to join you in sponsoring a child. If not a family member, what about the youth group, college group, or small group at church to collectively sponsor a child for which you take responsibility to collect the funds and pay the sponsorship?
In what other ways can you share your blessings in a practical way? Not everything needs to have a financial root. If God has blessed you with good health, you can donate your energy to a cause that is helpful to others. There are soup kitchens, Habitat for Humanity, bake sales, food drives, and the list goes on and on. If you have an abundance of energy, use it to bless others who don’t have the same ability to expend energy – perhaps that is yard work, washing dishes, or shopping for an elderly person.
Maybe you’ve been blessed with a job that has flexible hours so you could bless others with your time. Even if you don’t have an abundance of money or energy, you can bless others simply by volunteering to sit with people who need company or visiting those who can’t get out. Does your church have a ministry for shut-ins? Sometimes just a short visit with someone who cannot leave their home is enough to brighten his or her day. Imagine what life would be like if you could never get out of your home for anything other than dr. appointments. Wouldn’t you welcome a smile, a small token (e.g., flowers, a small treat if they are medically cleared for sweets, or a craft made by a young child) and a few minutes of someone’s time? I know I would!
As we are coming off of this Thanksgiving season and entering into Christmas season, think of ways you can give to others out of the abundance of blessings you have been given. Time spent helping others is infinitely more fulfilling than time spent solely on ourselves.
Additionally, the type of person you will want to marry is the type of person who is generous and wants to give. In marriage, there is much giving going on – all the time. Take your boyfriend or girlfriend to an opportunity to serve and see how he or she reacts. It will help provide insight for you to see what he or she may be like in marriage.
If you have ideas of how we can be blessings to others that I’ve not shared today, please feel free to comment! We love new ideas! And I suppose I should wish you all a Happy Black Friday! May you find amazing deals on quality merchandise. ~smile~
How can you share your blessings with others in a practical way?