To Give or Not to Give

"To Give or not to give!.." What is the first mental picture coming to your thoughts when you read this little sentence? Perhaps a little dirty hand clasping a too short picked flower holding it out with a toothless grin, a beggar on the street sitting with cupped hands hoping for a penny. A bunch of colorful flowers, a box of luscious dark chocolate or a handmade card signed with love. What are the gifts being given or receiving?

It is always such a treat to receive a gift, I love to receive gifts but get excited like a child at Christmas about giving someone a special something. My love language must be gifts, there is nothing as special as a gift wrapped up just for me. That unexpected something that brings tears to my eyes. That moment when my heart sings: "Thank you Jesus you knew all this time!"

I quickly ran up the wooden stairs to the second floor of our church to go find some more cups for the tea table. My eyes caught the most beautiful piece of cloth hanging over the side of the rail. I ran my fingers over the dreamy soft woven but durable material. It was printed in deep blue and off white dutch delft porcelain prints. "What a beautiful piece of material for a table cloth." I thought. "Do you like it?" A voice behind me suddenly asked. "Yes it is an extraordinary piece of material." I answered. "My wife brought it to church this morning to leave here for anyone to take home. Her mother bought it years ago in France but my wife just never found a use for it." "Thank you!" I embarrassed but excited answered.

Later that afternoon at home I unfolded the cloth and laid it out on the table admiring the beautiful material, prints and colors. As I straightened the hems out to cut it straight a thought came to my heart. "Maybe this is not mine, maybe God wants to bless someone else with this piece of material?" Yes, maybe this is not meant to be mine. I folded it up neatly and thoughtfully placed it back into the bag. Lord show me who you want to bless with this cloth..." I prayed. There were an excitement in my heart with this great prospect that someone is in for a big treat and surprise. Maybe someone has been praying for a new table cloth.

Later the week a dear friend of mine came over for coffee. We love to visit and talk about our children, home schooling, ministry, life and just what makes us happy or sad. I asked her about projects she had in mind for the summer as she moved into a new apartment recently. "I would love to buy a new table cloth for our lounge table." she said. I could not contain my excitement but had to keep a straight face. "What colors were you thinking of?" I asked. "Something blue, to go with my lounge furniture." she unexpected answered all I wanted and needed to hear. I also remembered she had two blue little delft printed porcelain pots on her sideboard next to the table. "I want to show you something!" I jumped up and went to fetch the bag with the material.

Yes, she loved it. It was just what she wanted. It looks absolutely stunning on her table. God just knew all this time it was meant for her.

Through this event I was newly reminded that everything coming my way is not always meant to be mine. As hard as it might be at times to realize. Holding things with an open hand asking, pondering....maybe He wants me to be the keeper only for a short while.

A lady wisely made a comment on this story. She heard a message at church recently, it left such an impression in her heart about giving. The preacher said: "Seeds are for sewing or either using." Sewing means to throw it in the ground and it will produce a crop of plenty for others and yourself. Using the seeds in food like for bread is of short value, eaten and then gone. Sewing it blesses other and it yields a crop.

He gives us "seeds" to sow or to use...... it is better to give than to receive..... How beautiful, wise and true.